The books presented here have been chosen to support and enhance expeditions to favorite preschool and elementary-aged destinations: farms and other food-producing enterprises; museums (both natural history and art); nature reserves and outdoor-observation areas; community institutions; and zoos and aquariums. A mix of fact-filled offerings and fictional adventures, all of these titles pair handsome illustrations with well-written texts to entice young readers and listeners. They can be used in the classroom to support Common Core Standards by introducing and/or reviewing site-related subject matter and vocabulary as a starting point for post-trip research projects and to inspire creative art and writing projects and initiate personal written and oral narratives. Featuring class expeditions of all kinds, the titles can also be shared to generate discussion of behavioral dos and don’ts, model positive information-seeking methods, and dispel any fears or anxieties about going to unfamiliar places.

Best of all, these appealing volumes encapsulate the magic of a field-trip experience and expand the learning–and enjoyment–well beyond the designated outing.

The assortment of recent books surveyed below examines both historical milestones and current research that have illuminated our understanding, with explorations in two opposite (or maybe not so opposite) directions: toward the universe’s smallest and most fundamental components and forces, and outward to the stars and beyond. Along with picture books that will have very young audiences thinking beyond the playpen, selected fiction and poetry are tucked into this list to demonstrate less typical but no less valid ways of introducing scientific wonders and concepts. Several of the titles also serve todispel the notion that science is for nerds; the sometimes provocative biographies of nuclear physicists Ernest Rutherford and Richard Feynman, for instance, profile men whose personalities were every bit as big and powerful as their brains.

First up are introductions to ocean-related topics, including currents, tides, food chains, and topography. In Down, Down, Down and Journey into the Deep, the authors organize their tours vertically, descending into ever-darker ocean zones, revealing giant tube worms and carnivorous sponges. With thousands of animals to study, most writers concentrate on a group such as whales or octopuses to show how species interact within a habitat. Books about prehistoric ocean life allow students to compare ancient animals with current ocean dwellers, while speculation about sea monsters can turn to fact as new discoveries are made.

Challenges facing scientists remain formidable. More humans have walked on the Moon than in the Marianas Trench, 35,000 feet below the surface. Although some people dive in search of sunken ships or treasure, many more study the ocean itself. The final illustration in Life in the Ocean, a biography of oceanographer Sylvia Earle, shows two people looking over the water. Below them, a panorama of animals and plants extends downward against deepening shades of blue. As elementary and middle school readers dive into this collection of ocean wonders, their awareness of and appreciation for the world under the sea are sure to grow.

The Big Picture

BANG, Molly & Penny Chisholm. Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas. illus. by Molly Bang. Scholastic. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-545-27322-0.
K-Gr 4–Sunlight’s role in ocean food chains extends from surface waters to pitch-black depths. The dramatic growth of phytoplankton cascading across a spread is one of many arresting illustrations, large enough for group sharing yet complex enough to study individually. Detailed notes cover topics such as photosynthesis, marine snow, and chemosynthesis.

COLE, Joanna. The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor. illus. by Bruce Degen. (Magic School Bus Series). Scholastic. 1992. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-59041-430-2; pap. $6.99. 978-0-59041-431-9.
Gr 1-4–A diligent lifeguard tries to rescue Ms. Frizzle’s class as she drives across the beach and continental shelf into deep waters. A whirlwind tour of the ocean floor and coral reefs ends with a surfboard ride to demonstrate wave action. Cartoon illustrations and fact-filled “class report” sidebars enliven another entertaining and informative field trip. Audio and DVD versions available from Scholastic.

GREEN, Dan. Oceans: Making Waves! illus. by Simon Basher. (Basher Science Series). Kingfisher. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6821-0. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6822-7.
Gr 5-8–With its conversational tone and cartoon illustrations, this unconventional guide packs a lot of information into each double-page entry. Not only do animals introduce themselves, but ocean features such as tides, seaweed, and pollution also have their say. The wide-ranging topics and appealing format should jumpstart interest in the watery world.

JENKINS, Steve. Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. illus. by author. Houghton Harcourt. 2009. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-618-96636-3.
Gr 2-6–Jenkins’s masterful collages reveal characteristics of animals at different ocean depths from the sunlit surface to the deepest trench. For example, contrasting images of twilight-zone animals as they would appear in light with their glowing outlines in dark water illustrate bioluminescence. Those interested in specific species will find more information after the main text.

JOHNSON, Rebecca L. Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures. Millbrook. 2010. PLB $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7613-4148-2.
Gr 5-8–From 2000 to 2010, hundreds of scientists worldwide participated in the Census of Marine Life. New species that they identified, such as zombie worms or yeti crabs, appear in amazing photographs that accompany quotations from scientists and descriptions of their research methods and findings at various ocean depths.

WALKER, Pam & Elaine Wood. The Open Ocean. (Life in the Sea Series). Facts On File. 2005. PLB $35. ISBN 978-0-8160-5705-4.
Gr 6-10–The authors supply extensive information about the open ocean, which covers more than half of Earth’s surface. Drawings and diagrams accompany clear explanations of topics such as animal anatomy, food chains, hydrothermal vents, and properties of seawater. Although a few color photos are included, the volume is aimed at researchers, not browsers.

WIESNER, David. Flotsam. illus. by author. Clarion. 2006. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-618-19457-5; ebook $17. ISBN 978-0-547-75930-2.
PreS Up–Photos developed from a “Melville underwater camera” washed ashore astound the boy who discovers the device. Fantastic scenes of undersea life and images of children from years before encourage him to add his own photo to the series. Wiesner wordlessly stretches readers’ imaginations about the timeless ocean circling the globe.

Animals Past and Present

BRADLEY, Timothy J. Paleo Sharks: Survival of the Strangest. illus. by author. Chronicle. 2007. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8118-4878-7.
Gr 4-8–Sharks from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras have connections to current ocean dwellers. Diagrams show relative sizes of the ancient shark, great white shark, and human diver while dramatic illustrations often feature predators and prey. Bradley clearly explains what paleontologists can and can’t deduce from fossil remains.

BULION, Leslie. At the Sea Floor Café: Odd Ocean Critter Poems. illus. by Leslie Evans. Peachtree. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-565-2.
Gr 5-8–Eighteen poems introduce unusual ocean animals such as the bone-eating osedax and eviscerating sea cucumbers. Linoleum-block illustrations plus fact-filled paragraphs accompany the poetic portraits. Explanations of the poetic forms, including limerick, cinquain, and triolet, encourage readers to follow Bulion’s lead in presenting scientific information in verse.

BUTTFIELD, Helen. The Secret Life of Fishes: From Angels to Zebras on the Coral Reef. illus. by author. reprint ed. Diane Publishing. 2004. (original ed. Abrams, 2000). Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-7567-8075-3.
Gr 5-8–More than 250 fishes glide across the pages of this elegant introduction to life on coral reefs. Meticulous watercolor illustrations accompany Buttfield’s pithy text, which often notes the importance of color and pattern for attracting mates, eluding enemies, or fooling prey. Share with students of art and design as well as ichthyologists.

CYRUS, Kurt. The Voyage of Turtle Rex. illus. by author. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-42924-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-77283-7.
K-Gr 2–A tiny turtle scuttles past T. rex to reach the ocean’s sheltering seaweed, where she grows into a two-ton Archelon. Swimming with Plesiosaurs and escaping a massive Mosasaur, she eventually returns to the same beach to lay eggs for another generation. Easy-flowing narrative verse plus large illustrations encourage read-aloud visits to ancient seas.

DAVIES, Nicola. Surprising Sharks. illus. by James Croft. (Read & Wonder Series). Candlewick. 2003. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2742-3.
K-Gr 3–Large diagrams and bright illustrations note the essentials of shark anatomy and how different senses help sharks find food. The fierce great white may not surprise readers, but the variety of sizes, shapes, and colors of other sharks will. Most surprising? Sharks kill about six people yearly, but humans kill millions of sharks.

ELLIOTT, David. In the Sea. illus. by Holly Meade. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4498-7.
K-Gr 3–Short, bouncy poems introduce ocean animals to young listeners. Evocative imagery of an octopus as an “eight-armed apparition” or a dolphin as an “acrobat with fins” plus energetic woodcut illustrations of creatures that swim, swirl, and dive across oversize pages add up to a good choice for storytimes as well as individual viewing.

GISH, Melissa. Whales. (Living Wild Series). Creative Education. 2012. PLB $35.65. ISBN 978-1-60818-084-4; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-89812-676-1.
Gr 5-8–Gish packs an impressive amount of information into this well-designed volume. Effectively covering diverse science topics such as whale communication methods, life cycles, and migration patterns, she also considers whales in myth and literature and includes a Japanese fable and D. H. Lawrence poem. Large photos, maps, and illustrations will engage browsers as well.

GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. Into the Sea. illus. by Alix Berenzy. Holt. 1996. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-2263-6; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-6481-0.
Gr 2-5–From when a hatchling makes her way across the beach until she returns to lay her eggs years later, a sea turtle lives in the ocean. Pencil and gouache illustrations depict her underwater life amid sea grass refuges and fishing net dangers. Compare this contemporary reptile with Cyrus’s prehistoric Archelon.

HALFMANN, Janet. Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish. illus. by Joan Paley. Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9073-4.
K-Gr 3–Sea stars may look harmless, but hundreds of sticky tube feet under their rays, plus a stomach that extends from their mouth, make them effective predators. Collage illustrations follow a sea star’s hunt for mussels and its escape from a seagull. More information, including the animal’s ability to grow replacement rays, appears after the story.

MARKLE, Sandra. Octopuses. (Animal Prey Series). Lerner. 2007. PLB $25.26. ISBN 978-0-8225-6063-0; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-8225-6066-1.
Gr 3-6–Octopuses must elude predators while seeking their own prey. Color photos reveal techniques such as blasting ink to distract pursuers or changing shape or color to blend in with the seafloor or reef. Views of octopuses from around the world will intrigue browsers and beginning researchers, who can follow the creatures’ life cycle.

NEWQUIST, HP. Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-547-07678-2.
Gr 5-8–Sailors’ tales of sea monsters fueled speculation about kraken long before giant squid carcasses washed ashore in the 19th century. Illustrations range from 16th-century maps to 20th-century movie posters, accompanying summaries of legends and excerpts from poems and stories. Photos by modern scientists elucidate current research about the elusive animal.

PFEFFER, Wendy. Life in a Coral Reef. illus. by Steve Jenkins. HarperCollins. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029553-0; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-445222-9.
K-Gr 3–Coral reefs bustle with activity day and night. Paper cutout illustrations capture the vibrant hues of reef animals from tiny coral polyps to a lime-green moray eel gliding past a mucus-enclosed parrot fish. Fact pages identify coral reef locations worldwide and threats to their existence.

SIMON, Seymour. Coral Reefs. HarperCollins, 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-191495-9; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-06-191496-6.
Gr 2-5–Vibrant close-up photos accompany Simon’s informative text. He explains how coral polyps slowly develop into colonies that form different reef structures. Careful page design matches relevant photos with introductions to various hard and soft corals and unusual reef animals. Throughout, the author stresses the importance of reefs and notes threats to their survival.

TURNER, Pamela S. Project Seahorse. photos by Scott Tuason. (Scientists in the Field Series). Houghton Harcourt. 2010. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-547-20713-1.
Gr 4-8–Coral reef destruction from blast fishing, pollution, and dredging threatens many fish, including seahorses. Amazing close-up photos complement explanations of their unusual biology, including that males give birth. Attempts by Filipino scientists and villagers to establish a marine protected area demonstrate the need for cooperative conservation efforts at local, national, and international levels.

Human Explorations

BECKER, Helaine. The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea. illus. by Willow Dawson. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-746-4; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-747-1.
Gr 3-6–Even students far from coastlines can participate in hands-on activities to learn about the ocean. More than 30 simple experiments employ everyday materials to investigate topics such as currents, salinity, pollution, and camouflage. Sidebars with diagrams and photos cover current issues including environmental threats and ways to help.

BERNE, Jennifer. Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau. illus. by Éric Puybaret. Chronicle. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-6063-5.
Gr 1-4–Cousteau’s childhood fascination with machines, movies, and the sea provided the foundation for his inventions and explorations that drew worldwide attention to ocean life. Blue-green backgrounds painted in acrylic on linen reinforce the watery theme, especially in the fold-out panorama of Cousteau diving ever deeper. Compare this biographical introduction with Dan Yaccarino’s The Fantastical Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau.

EARLE, Sylvia A. Dive! My Adventures in the Deep Frontier. National Geographic. 1999. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-0-7922-7144-4.
Gr 3-7–A marine biologist, Earle shares her lifelong passion for ocean exploration and conservation. From childhood observations of creatures on shore to journeys thousands of feet below the surface in a submersible she helped design, Earle has retained her fascination with marine life. Numerous photos document various forays under the sea.

FALLS, Kat. Dark Life. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17814-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17815-0.
Gr 5-9–In this futuristic novel, rising waters force humans into stack cities while pioneers farm the ocean floor. Western adventure motifs combine with subsea adaptations, such as Liquigen for breathing, as Undersea Ty and Topsider Gemma face fast-paced treachery and danger while searching for the girl’s brother. Challenge readers to invent additional underwater survival strategies.

GIBBONS, Gail. Sunken Treasure. illus. by author. reprint ed. HarperCollins. 1990. (original ed. Crowell, 1988). pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-446097-2.
Gr 1-4–Gibbons’s exciting account of the sinking of a Spanish galleon near Florida in 1622 and the 20-year search to locate the ship more than 300 years later demonstrates that divers search for treasure as well as marine life. Detailed illustrations accompany explanations of the work involved in discovery, salvage, and restoration.

MALLORY, Kenneth. Adventure Beneath the Sea: Living in an Underwater Science Station. photos by Brian Skerry. Boyds Mills. 2010. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-607-9.
Gr 4-8–Readers follow Mallory and Skerry through aquanaut training and their stay on Aquarius, an underwater research station. A map of Aquarius plus numerous photos give potential oceanographers insights into coral reef research as well as station life from meals to Internet connection. Mallory concludes with warnings about threats to coral reefs.

MATSEN, Brad. The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the Bathysphere. Enslow. 2003. PLB $23.93. ISBN 978-0-7660-2188-4.
Gr 4-7–The 1934 dive of William Beebe and Otis Barton continues to inspire oceanographers. Diagrams of the bathysphere and period photos set the scene. Matsen effectively builds the suspense and excitement of their descent. Even though readers know the outcome, the danger surrounding the small ship in a vast ocean is palpable.

NIVOLA, Claire A. Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle. illus. by author. Farrar. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38068-7.
K-Gr 3–Nivola weaves quotations from Earle into her brief biography, but richly colored illustrations draw viewers on their own. Earle swims past reef fishes, walks through bamboo coral, and plunges into a galaxy of bioluminescent creatures. The final spread incorporates earlier illustrations in a panorama of a teeming world worth exploring and preserving. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

WALKER, Sally M. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H. L. Hunley.Carolrhoda. 2005. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-57505-830-6.
Gr 6-10–History and science combine in a fascinating account of the submarine developed to break the Union blockade of Charleston. Documents, maps, and diagrams illustrate the Civil War section while photos enhance explanations of the 1990s work of divers, engineers, and geologists to locate and raise the H.L. Hunley in order to learn why she sank.

YACCARINO, Dan. The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. illus. by author. Knopf. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85573-3; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84470-6; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98755-7.
Gr 1-4–Bold colors and abstract patterns emphasize Cousteau’s energetic quest to invent ways to explore the ocean, document what he saw, and share his discoveries with others. Brief quotations from Cousteau complement Yaccarino’s simple text. Words are secondary to the layered illustrations, which reveal the vitality of ocean life.

Kathy Piehl is Professor Emerita at Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Writing about humor is a good way to suck all the fun out of it, so please—feel free to skip straight to the booklist. Or as Platte F. Clarke advises in Bad Unicorn, “I recommend you close the book now and run away—preferably with screaming and arm flailing.” It’s got to be better than having to read about how literary devices like hyperbole (e.g., “screaming and arm flailing”) are examples of figurative language (Common Core State Standard 5.4) that can add to the complexity of a text (CCSS RL 10). Just don’t tell the kids.

We love giving funny books to children because we want them to enjoy reading. When they come back clamoring for more Pseudonymous Bosch, you may smile a satisfied smile. But you—and your old pal the Stinky Cheese Man—may be accomplishing more than you realize. Numerous academic studies conducted over the past decade indicate that there are more advantages to reading humorous literature than pure pleasure. Experiments have shown that the brain’s response to the unexpected—say, the purple dragon in Chloe and the Lion, or the polar bear sidekick in Timmy Failure—is to seek order. College students made to read Kafka performed twice as well on pattern recognition tests as their peers. Broken rules compel our brains to look for functioning ones.

Seems like Dr. Seuss was on to something when he said, “I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells.” If only he’d been grant-funded, he could have said that in an 80-page thesis instead of a nine-word off-the-cuff remark! Set their brains dancing with these recent funny books.

Picture Books with a Kick

AHLBERG, Allan. The Goldilocks Variations. illus. by Jessica Ahlberg. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6268-4.
PreS-Gr 3–The three bears are just the appetizer in this charmingly illustrated pop-up banquet. Goldilocks encounters a family of aliens, talking furniture, and “a grumpy-looking ‘grandma’ in a bed, six or seven other beds, and somebody or something banging away like billy-o at the back door.” By altering individual elements, Ahlberg reinforces the central idea.

BARNETT, Mac. Chloe and the Lion. illus. by Adam Rex. Hyperion/Disney. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1334-8.
Gr 1-5–All Chloe wants is a ride on the merry-go-round, but her story is hijacked by a couple of unlikely characters. In a dispute about who’s in charge, the illustrator draws the writer into a gorilla suit, and the writer writes the illustrator into the lion’s belly. Use this book to teach point of view and the collaborative process.

EATON, Maxwell. The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business. illus. by author. (The Flying Beaver Brothers Series). Knopf. 2012. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96448-0; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86448-3.
Gr 1-5–A volcano has appeared overnight on Beaver Island. Oh no, it’s really a smokestack for a fish-stick factory run by duplicitous mackerel! This graphic novel is the second entry in a series that features simple cartoon art and razor-sharp comic timing, with an eco-friendly message.

HODGKINSON, Leigh. Goldilocks and Just One Bear. illus. by author. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6172-4.
K-Gr 3–A bear lost in the city tries out the porridge and the chairs in an empty apartment. When the owner turns out to be an all-grown-up Goldilocks, the two stories, old and new, come together in a comic fanfare. Retro-modern ink and watercolor art adds fun details.

KLASSEN, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5599-0.
K-Gr 3–The narrative tension between text and art is as crystalline as the water at the bottom of the sea is murky in this tale of underwater mischief. The little fish in the stolen hat is absolutely sure he is going to get away with his crime, but attentive children will holler, “Look behind you!”

SCHWARTZ, Corey Rosen. The Three Ninja Pigs. illus. by Dan Santat. Putnam. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25514-4.
K-Gr 3–These porcine powerhouses are ready to rumble! With their arsenal of martial-arts skills, the Big Bad Wolf doesn’t stand a chance. Except–whoops! Pigs One and Two skipped a few lessons. Rhyming text and dynamic illustrations are a delight, and the glossary of Japanese words invites culture study tie-ins.

WILLEMS, Mo. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210418-2.
K-Gr 3–In this signature retelling, Mama Dinosaur rubs her hands together while saying, “I SURE HOPE NO INNOCENT LITTLE SUCCULENT CHILD HAPPENS BY OUR UNLOCKED HOME WHILE WE ARE… uhhh… SOMEPLACE ELSE!” Children will automatically supply the classic version for comparison.

Funny Transitional Titles

ABBOTT, Tony. The Mysterious Talent Show Mystery. illus. by Colleen Madden. Bk. 4. (Goofballs Series). Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-167-9; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-400-7.
Gr 2-4–Readers decipher clues while puns ricochet around the room as two young sleuths investigate strange happenings. Wordplay contributes complexity, while snappy dialogue-driven text keeps those pages turning. This series features short chapters and comic black-and-white drawings.

ADDERSON, Caroline. Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind. illus. by Ben Clanton. Bk. 2. (Jasper John Dooley Series). Kids Can. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-579-8.
Gr 1-3–Jasper, introduced in Star of the Week (2012), feels a little puncture when his Nan leaves for vacation. And when he accidentally staples his snake story to his stomach, that deflated feeling just gets worse. Jasper’s grownups indulge him a bit, but not too much, in this sweet book about managing feelings.

COX, Judy. The Secret Chicken Society. illus. by Amanda Haley. Holiday House. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-823-42372-9; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-823-42765-9.
Gr 2-4–Few animals are as funny as a chicken, but that’s only one of the things Daniel discovers when he adopts five fuzzy chicks. Summery slapstick with a healthy dose of fun facts.

MONTIJO, Rhode. Gum Girl! Chews Your Destiny. illus. by author. Hyperion/Disney. July 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-423-15740-3.
K-Gr 2–A freak combination of bubble gum and high voltage turns gum-loving Gabby into a sticky, stretchy superhero. A few Spanish words and puns keep the text popping, and artwork in bold geometric shapes gives the book a Powerpuff Girls-meet-Dora energy.

O’RYAN, Ray. Hello, Nebulon! illus. by Jack Colin. Bk. 1. (Galaxy Zack Series). S & S/Little Simon. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5387-6; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5386-9; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5388-3.
Gr 1-3–Zack is worried about moving to Nebulon–what if his new teacher has two heads? What if the pizza comes with bugs instead of pepperoni? Cartoony space-age illustrations depict Zack making a new friend, riding a hoverbike, and exploring his jazzy new house. First in a forthcoming series.

Middle-Grade Malarkey

AGUIRRE, Jorge. Giants Beware! illus. by Rafael Rosado. First Second. 2012. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-596-43582-7.
Gr 2-6–Rambunctious Claudette, the daughter of the town blacksmith, sets off to kill the local giant with her best friend and brother in tow. Action and friendship, drawn in a clear, cheerful style, make this graphic novel a great choice for “Bone” (Scholastic) fans.

BEATY, Andrea. Dorko the Magnificent. Abrams/Amulet. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0638-7.
Gr 3-5–Botched magic tricks and an old lady with a specialty in Extreme Crankiness provide slapstick humor as young Robbie practices for his school’s talent show. Readers will root for Robbie, who works hard and remains optimistic despite setbacks.

BOYCE, Frank Cottrell. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again. illus. by Joe Berger. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5957-8; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6353-7.
Gr 3-6–To keep Dad busy after he’s been laid off, Mum gets him an old camper van to fix. But when the family visits the junkyard looking for parts, they strike flying, floating automotive gold. An inventive and picturesque family story, as full of heart and humor as the original.

CARMAN, Patrick. Floors. Bk. 1. (Floors Series). Scholastic. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-25519-6; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46092-7.
Gr 4-6–Odd ducks of both the web-footed and human variety alternately help and hinder junior handyman Leo and his pal Remi as Leo attempts to discover the whereabouts of the Whippet Hotel’s owner before it’s too late. Fans of Pseudonymous Bosch will love this book and its sequel, 3 Below (2012). Audio version is available from Audible and Playaway.

CLARKE, Platte F. Bad Unicorn. S & S/Aladdin. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5012-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5014-1.
Gr 4-8–A familiar premise–underdog kid is the only one who can save the world–is put through a satirical shredder. What comes out is action and suspense with a hilarious Monty Pythonesque edge. Multiple points of view keep the plot humming.

GILMAN, Charles. Professor Gargoyle. Bk. 1. (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School Series). Quirk. 2012. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59474-591-1; pap. $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59474-592-8.
Gr 4-7–In this series kickoff, Robert is a nice kid just trying to navigate the pitfalls of a new school. It doesn’t take him long to realize, however, that the pitfalls of Lovecraft Middle School may involve actual pits. A wide variety of lusciously phantasmagorical vocabulary (“mesmerized,” “fetid,” “ventriloquist”) festoons the readable, peppy text. Audio version available from Listening Library.

MASS, Wendy. Pi in the Sky. Little, Brown. June 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-08916-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-23501-3.
Gr 5-8–Joss is bored with his simple job of delivering pies for the Supreme Overlord of the Universe (his dad). Soon, however, something goes badly wrong, and it is Joss’s responsibility to rebuild Earth. Entertaining, unexpected, and irreverent, and yet packed with information about elemental physics and the contents of the universe.

PASTIS, Stephan. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Bk. 1. illus. by author. (Timmy Failure Series). Candlewick. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6358-2.
Gr 4-6–A self-proclaimed private detective with a magnificent lack of insight, Timmy and his polar bear sidekick “solve” “mysteries” in super-short, heavily illustrated chapters. This is the kind of pattern-violating humor that makes readers’ brains beg for mercy.

REX, Adam. Cold Cereal. (The Cold Cereal Saga). HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206002-0; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206003-7; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206004-4.
Gr 5-8–Scott thinks he’s a little weird–until he meets Erno and Emily, their friend Biggs, who is very big indeed, and a leprechaun named Mick. This odd team must thwart the evil cereal company that is trying to take over the world. The equally excellent sequel is Unlucky Charms (2013). Audio version available from Listening Library.

SPRATT, R. A. The Adventures of Nanny Piggins. Bk. 1. illus. by Dan Santat. (Nanny Piggins Series). Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06819-2; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06818-5; ebook $2.99. ISBN 978-0-316-23098-8.
Gr 1-6–Parents who hire Nanny Piggins should be aware that she loves trashy novels and cake, and her idea of fun is to drop things off the roof and watch them crash. Kids who like subversive humor will adore her. Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan (2013) is a sequel, with more to come.

Older Kids Love Laughs, Too

BEAUDOIN, Sean. The Infects. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5947-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6211-0.
Gr 9 Up–Nero’s bad week suddenly gets much worse when people start acting like zombies: lurching, drooling, and lusting after human flesh. It’s ruthlessly fast paced, loaded with pop-culture references, and splattered with gore, and the dialogue raises sarcasm–and profanity–to an art form. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

BENWAY, Robin. Also Known As. Walker. 2013. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3390-0; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3391-7.
Gr 7 Up–Maggie is the new girl at a fancy New York City prep school, fresh off a safecracking gig in Iceland. Her current assignment is to infiltrate the family of a magazine publisher. There’s romance, swanky settings, and a brassy sidekick named Roux. Especially for fans of Meg Cabot’s “Airhead” series (Scholastic). Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

EULBERG, Elizabeth. Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47699-7; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-52078-2.
Gr 7 Up–Lexi keeps a low profile while her seven-year-old sister, Mac, is a pageant queen. But one day, on a dare, she swaps her baggy jeans for skinny ones, curls her hair, and throws on a little makeup. Witty narration and fun dialogue are combined with intelligent thoughts about appearance and self-worth.

HERBACH, Geoff. I’m with Stupid. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4022-7791-7.
–––– . Nothing Special. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4022-6507-5; ISBN 978-1-4022-6508-2.
–––– . Stupid Fast. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4022-563-0; ISBN 978-1-4022-5631-8.ea vol: Sourcebooks/Fire. pap. $9.99. ebook $9.99.
Gr 7 Up–In this series, Felton Reinstein must come to grips with heartbreak, dysfunction, hope, and his own unexpected transformation from nebbish to gifted athlete. As in Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Little, Brown, 2007), Felton’s family problems and personal anxieties are deeply felt but leavened considerably by his wry, self-deprecating narration. Audio version for Stupid Fast available from Recorded Books.

STRAND, Jeff. A Bad Day for Voodoo. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-6680-5; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-6682-9.
Gr 7 Up–“My mom came home around six and asked me how my day went. I told her, leaving out the voodoo but leaving in Mr. Click’s leg and death.” By page 10, average Florida teen Tyler has inadvertently killed his history teacher, and then things really get weird. A laugh in every paragraph.

Nonfiction

COY, John. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball. illus. by Joe Morse. Carolrhoda. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6617-1; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8723-7.
Gr 1-4–Calisthenics were boring, football and soccer, too rough. James Naismith therefore invented a game that relied on speed, accuracy, and no tackling. Muscular paintings in a muted but vibrant palette suit the historical subject without looking musty, while action panels feature a riot of elongated limbs.

GRIFFITHS, Andy. What Body Part Is That?: A Wacky Guide to the Funniest, Weirdest, and Most Disgustingest Parts of Your Body. illus. by Terry Denton. Feiwel & Friends. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-312-36790-9; ebbok $9.99. ISBN 978-1-466-82759-2.
Gr 3-7–Research has shown “bizarre elaboration” to have a significant positive effect on retention, especially of vocabulary. “Other easier-to-pronounce names for the esophagus are food funnel, nutrient hose, provisions pipe, chow spout, hamburger highway, taco tunnel, and sausage chute.” Readers will remember lots of anatomy and physiology facts once they’ve ingested this profusely illustrated, super-goofy fun fest.

HALE, Nathan. One Dead Spy: The Life, Times, and Last Words of Nathan Hale, America’s Most Famous Spy. ISBN 978-1-419-70396-6. ISBN 978-1-613-12372-0.
–––– . Big Bad Ironclad! A Civil War Steamship Showdown. ISBN 978-1-419-70395-9; ISBN 978-1-613-12371-3.ea vol: illus. by author. 2012. Abrams/Amulet. (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales Series). Tr $12.95. ebook $12.95.

Gr 3-8–One Dead Spy begins as Nathan Hale is about to be hanged. He was not a very good spy. But in the hands of Nathan Hale, the present-day graphic novelist, he makes an excellent narrator. American history is hilarious in these lively, rigorously researched, visually engaging stories.

LEVINE, Gail Carson. Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It: False Apology Poems. illus. by Matthew Cordell. HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-178725-6.
Gr 4-6–These spare, sly poems use inference to tell tall tales of deceit and betrayal among family members, friends, and fairy-tale characters. “I have shortened my nose with your saw/because honestly telling lies is so much fun./Forgive me I don’t care about becoming a real boy.”

LEWIS, J. Patrick. Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems. illus. by Michael Slack. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-51338-6.
Gr 4-6–Famous poems are adapted into math problems involving boxer shorts, pizza, termites, and more. I think that I shall never solve/A poem that makes my brain evolve/Word problems are made by fools like me/But only Patrick Lewis can make poems like these. Silly, colorful art adds appeal.

LONG, Ethan. The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular! 2013. ISBN 978-0-8234-2604-1.
–––– . Up! Tall! and High! 2012. ISBN 978-0-8234-2320-0.ea vol: illus. by author. Holiday House. RTE $15.95.

PreK-Gr 1–What can you learn from a bird? The Wing Wing Brothers juggle pies and spin plates to demonstrate greater than, less than, and equal to along with addition and subtraction. And the birds of Up! fly, fall, and mount stilts to explain how up, tall, and high are similar but not identical. Cartoony art adds a friendly wink.

Paula Willey reviews children’s and teen books online at Pink Me

A study of this never-to-be-forgotten time in history calls for the deeper learning characterized by the Common Core State Standards. From picture-book biographies to fictional representations in books and film to documentary footage to archival documents and photographs, this material can teach students to evaluate and understand perspective and content. Illustrated books introduce younger students to the topic while exploring drawings and photographs plays a critical role in adding to the meaning of a text. Older students can compare and contrast fictional portrayals of the Kindertransport in novels with the historical accounts found in informational titles. Add testimonies from the USC Shoah Foundation and students dig even deeper by analyzing multiple accounts of the same topic.

Most importantly, these stories of resistance, rescue, courage, ingenuity, and survival are a beacon of light amid the dark horrors of the Holocaust. They inspire today’s readers to live by Helmuth Hubener’s words in The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti: “I don’t want to remember a time I could have done something but didn’t.”

Righteous Gentiles

Fiction

BARTOLETTI, Susan Campbell. The Boy Who Dared. Scholastic. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-68013-4.
Gr 6-9—Helmuth Hubener, a German teen executed for treason and whom Bartoletti profiled in her Hitler Youth (Scholastic, 2005), is the main character in this fictionalized account. Imprisoned, Helmuth reflects on his crimes of listening to foreign newscasts, creating and distributing pamphlets, and committing acts of resistance to the Nazi Party. Audio version available from Listening Library.

CLARK, Kathy. Guardian Angel House. (Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers). Second Story. 2009. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-58-6.
Gr 4-7—Based on the experiences of her mother and aunt, Clark provides a compelling, fictionalized account documenting the courage and compassion of a group of nuns in Budapest who saved more than 100 Jewish children. Miraculously, the sisters are reunited with their parents through the aid of Raoul Wallenberg. Augmented with black-and-white photographs.

DEEDY, Carmen Agra. The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark. illus. by Henri Sørensen. Peachtree. 2000. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-208-8.
Gr 3-5—Although no documented proof exists to support the legend of the king riding through the streets of Copenhagen with a yellow star sewn on his coat, the lyrical prose and dramatic full-page paintings make for an inspiring picture book and a powerful introduction to the remarkable story of the Jews of Denmark during World War II.

Nonfiction

BORDEN, Louise. His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-618-50755-9.
Gr 5-8—Similar in format to Borden’s The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey (Houghton Harcourt, 2005), this book pairs photographs, documents, maps, and drawings with simple descriptive prose to retell the inspirational story of the Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish citizens in Budapest. Wallenberg’s life is also explored in the award-winning movie Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story reissued by Paramount in 2011.

MCCLAFFERTY, Carla Killough. In Defiance of Hitler: The Secret Mission of Varian Fry. Farrar. 2008. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-374-38204-9.
Gr 7 Up—Fry was sent to Marseille as the representative of a rescue organization in order to help several prominent Jewish writers, artists, and scientists escape the Nazis. Instead, he stayed for more than a year, saving at least 2,000 people of all backgrounds. A gripping, suspenseful profile in persistence, passion, and moral conviction. Archival photos are included.

MELTZER, Milton. Rescue: The Story of How Gentiles Saved Jews in the Holocaust. HarperCollins. 1988. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-024209-1; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-446117-7.
Gr 6-10—Meltzer tells the stories of non-Jews, such as Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg, the people of Le Chambon, and the citizens of Denmark, who risked their lives to hide, smuggle, and feed Jews throughout Europe. Organized by country, each chapter includes a detailed map and historical information along with first-person testimonies, memoirs, diaries, oral histories, and letters.

MOCHIZUKI, Ken. Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story. illus. by Dom Lee. Lee & Low. 1997. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-880-00049-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-584-30157-8.
Gr 3-5—When Jewish refugees lined up at the door of the Japanese consul to Lithuania, Chiune Sugihara chose to help more than 6000 people escape the Nazis. Illustrated with dark, sepia-toned illustrations, the story is told from the perspective of Sugihara’s five-year-old son. Audio version available from Live Oak Media. The docudrama The Visas That Saved Lives (Marty Gross Film Productions, 2010) re-creates Sugihara’s efforts.

OPDYKE, Irene Gut & Jennifer Armstrong. In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer. Random. 2001. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-679-89181-9; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-553-49411-2; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-307-55702-5.
Gr 9 Up—A 17-year-old student nurse when the Nazis invaded Poland, Opdyke worked in an officer’s club adjacent to a Jewish ghetto. She describes the incredible risks and the unspeakable brutality she endured to get food into the ghetto, smuggle Jews out of the ghetto, and hide Jews in the basement of a Nazi major’s house. Audio version available from Listening Library

VAUGHAN, Marcia. Irena’s Jars of Secrets. illus. by Ron Mazellan. Lee & Low. 2011. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-439-3.
Gr 3-6—Irena Sendler, a young Catholic social worker, helped hundreds of Jews by smuggling food, clothing, and medicine into the Warsaw Ghetto and saved more than 2,500 children by smuggling them out of the ghetto to convents, orphanages, and Polish foster parents. Somber, double-spread illustrations rendered in oil on canvas add drama and emotion to the text.

Jewish Resistance

Fiction

FRIEDMAN, D. Dina. Escaping into the Night. S & S. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-416-90258-4; pap. 8.99. ISBN 978-1-416-98648-5; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-416-99665-1.
Gr 6-9—Based on the Bielski Brothers, a unit of partisans in the forests of western Belorussia, this fictionalized account of a 13-year-old girl who escapes the ghetto and joins the resistance illuminates the story of the thousands of Jews who fought back. The PBS documentary Resistance: Untold Stories of Jewish Partisans (2008) includes rare archival footage and interviews with surviving partisans.

HESSE, Karen. The Cats in Krasinski Square. illus. by Wendy Watson. Scholastic. 2004. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-439-43540-6.
Gr 3-5—With spare, powerful free-verse prose, Hesse tells the little-known story of how a group of young resistance fighters and stray cats outsmart the Gestapo at the Warsaw train station. Sensitive illustrations depict the sadness but not the horror of the time, making this an excellent read-aloud for younger students.

JABLONSKI, Carla. Resistance. Bk. 1. illus. by Leland Purvis. First Second. 2010. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-291-8.
Gr 7-10—In this gripping graphic novel, siblings Paul and Marie live outside Vichy, France, during the Nazi occupation and work together to hide their Jewish neighbor, Henri. When they discover that people close to them are members of the French Resistance, they devise a dangerous plan to help Henri. First in a trilogy that continues in Defiance (2011) and Victory (2012).

MEYER, Susan Lynn. Black Radishes. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73881-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90748-4; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85822-2; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89614-9.
Gr 5-8—Shortly before France is invaded by Germany, 11-year-old Gustave and his parents leave Paris for a small country village that luckily turns out to be south of the demarcation line. Along with his new friend Nicole, Gustave lends his hand to the French Resistance in this suspenseful tale.

STUCHNER, Joan Betty. Honey Cake. illus. by Cynthia Nugent. Random. 2008. Tr $11.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85189-6; PLB $13.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95189-3; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85190-2; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-0-307-47790-3.
Gr 3-5—David is only 10 years old when his father sends him out into the Nazi-occupied streets of Copenhagen with a box of chocolate éclairs to deliver to a friend. Unknowingly, David is carrying a secret message for the Danish Resistance. With soft pencil sketches, this is a gentle introduction to the period for transitional readers.

Nonfiction

KACER, Kathy. The Underground Reporters. (Holocaust Remembrance Series). Second Story. 2003. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-896764-85-6.
Gr 4-7—Alternating narratives interspersed with historical facts, photographs, maps, and drawings tell the story of an underground magazine created by a group of children during the Nazi occupation. The book provides a detailed picture of what everyday life was like in Czechoslovakia and how the children’s stories, poems, and drawings were a small, yet significant, form of resistance.

RAPPAPORT, Doreen. Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2976-2.
Gr 7 Up—Going beyond the well-known accounts of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the escape from the Sobibor death camp, Rappaport retells 20 stories of defiance and resistance. The book is meticulously researched and masterfully organized, with archival photos and an accessible layout and design. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

Hiding to Survive

Fiction

ORLEV, Uri. Run, Boy, Run. tr. from Hebrew by Hillel Halkin. Houghton Harcourt. 2003. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-618-16465-3; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-618-95706-4; ebook $6.95. ISBN 978-0-547-53099-4.
Gr 4-7—Full of action, adventure, and excitement, this novel tells the story of eight-year-old Srulik, who miraculously survived after being left alone in the Warsaw Ghetto. Orlev’s The Island on Bird Street (Houghton Harcourt, 1984) also tells the story of a young survivor in the Ghetto and was made into a film of the same name (First Look Pictures, 2008).

PROPP, Vera W. When the Soldiers Were Gone. Putnam. 2001. Tr $15. ISBN 978-1-422-35310-3; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-698-11881-2.
Gr 3-6—Eight-year-old Henk learns, only when his Jewish parents come to claim him in 1945, that the couple he calls Mama and Papa are Dutch Christians who sheltered him on their farm during the war. Similar to Johanna Reiss’s The Upstairs Room (HarperCollins, 1972), this is a gentler, yet no less dramatic, introduction to the subject for younger readers. Audio version available from Penguin Audio.

ROY, Jennifer. Yellow Star. Marshall Cavendish. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-761-45277-5.
Gr 6-9—In 1939, 270,000 Jews were forced to move into the Lodz Ghetto. In 1945, there were only 800 survivors. Told in verse, the simple yet descriptive narrative relates the story of Syvia Perlmutter, the author’s aunt and one of the 12 surviving children. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

RUSSO, Marisabina. I Will Come Back for You: A Family in Hiding During World War II. illus. by author. Random. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86695-1; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96695-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98515-7.
Gr 3-5—Nonna tells how her idyllic childhood in Rome ended abruptly when Italy joined the Germans. Papa is taken away, but Nonna, her brother, and mother escape to the countryside and survive the war hiding on a farm. Vivid gouache illustrations make this a gentle, hopeful introduction to the time period, much like the author’s Always Remember Me: How One Family Survived World War II (Atheneum, 2005).

Nonfiction

KACER, Kathy. Hiding Edith: A True Story. (Holocaust Remembrance Series). Second Story. 2006. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-897-18706-7.
Gr 4-6—After fleeing Vienna with her family, 12-year-old Edith was sheltered in a safe house for Jewish children in the town of Moissac, France. This retelling effectively combines the history of the war and hidden children with the specific experiences of an individual child. High-quality black-and-white photographs add appeal for student researchers and independent readers.

MCCANN, Michelle R. & Luba Tryszynska-Frederick. Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen. illus. by Ann Marshall. Tricycle. 2003. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-582-46098-7.
Gr 3-5—With the women of her barracks, Luba Tryszynska-Frederick saved 52 Dutch children left in the forest to freeze by Nazi soldiers. Beautiful oil and collage illustrations depict Luba’s life, her fellow inmates, and the children in Bergen-Belsen without displaying the horrors. Luba’s story is featured in the 2008 History Channel anthology, Heroes of the Holocaust: Tales of Resistance and Survival.

RUELLE, Karen Gray & Deborah Durland DeSaix. The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust. illus. by authors. Holiday House. 2009. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2159-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2304-0.
Gr 3-6—Beautiful full-spread oil paint illustrations, along with a detailed afterword, glossary, and bibliography, add to this unique tale of interfaith relations that relates the little-known story of Jews who were hidden by Muslims in the Grand Mosque of Paris during World War II.

RUELLE, Karen Gray & Deborah Durland DeSaix. Hidden on the Mountain: Stories of Children Sheltered from the Nazis in Le Chambon. Holiday House. 2007. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1928-9.
Gr 6 Up—First-person accounts and black-and-white photos uncover the amazing story of the thousands of children who were sheltered in the tiny mountainous French village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. Fascinating and inspiring, this is a wonderful companion to the documentary Weapons of the Spirit (Chambon Foundation, 1989).

TAYLOR, Peter Lane with Christos Nicola. The Secret of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story. Kar-Ben. 2007. PLB $18.95. ISBN 978-1-58013-260-2; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58013-261-9.
Gr 6 Up—Full-color photographs and a compelling text reveal how 38 Jews endured with no training or special equipment for more than a year in the underground caves of the Western Ukraine. Readers also learn how their amazing story was discovered. The documentary No Place on Earth (Sierra Tango Productions, 2012) records the journey of four survivors back to the cave after more than 60 years.

Rescued Children

 Fiction

CHAPMAN, Fern Schumer. Is It Night or Day? Farrar. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-17744-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-429-93413-8.
Gr 6-9—Using her mother’s experiences as inspiration, Chapman delivers a moving account of Edith, a girl who travels to America with the assistance of One Thousand Children, an organization that rescued German children during the Holocaust. Edith’s reunion, 70 years later, with the girl she befriended on her voyage, was profiled on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Lost and Found (January, 2013).

TAYLOR, Marilyn. Faraway Home. illus. by E. B. Lewis. Harcourt. 2000. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-520-0036-3; ebook $17. ISBN 978-0-547-76906-6.
Gr 5-8—While most of the Jewish children on the Kindertransport were sent to Great Britain, a small minority traveled to Northern Ireland. This Irish import blends historical facts with fiction to tell the story of 13-year-old Karl, who is sent to work on a farm, and his younger sister, Rosa, who is taken in by a wealthy family.

THOR, Annika. A Faraway Island. tr. from Swedish by Linda Schenck. Delacorte. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73617-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90590-9; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84495-9; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89370-4.
Gr 5-8—In addition to the Kindertransport to Great Britain, 500 Jewish children were moved to safety in Sweden. This is the first in a series of novels about two sisters sent to a remote island near Göteborg. See also The Lily Pond (Delacorte, 2011); the third book, Deep Sea, is forthcoming. Audio version available from Listening Library.

WATTS, Irene. Good-bye Marianne: A Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany. Tundra. 2008. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0887764455; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-77049-057-4.
Gr 4-7—Watts re-creates the first book of her trilogy that includes Good-bye Marianne (1998), Remember Me (2000), and Finding Sophie (2002) as a graphic novel. Based on her childhood in Berlin and her eventual move to England via the Kindertransport, this version is made more accessible to reluctant or less-proficient readers with simple yet expressive black-and-white pencil drawings.

Nonfiction

HODGE, Deborah. Rescuing the Children: The Story of the Kindertransport. Tundra. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-256-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-77049-366-7.
Gr 4-7—In this succinct overview of the Kindertransport rescue operations that took almost 10,000 Jewish youngsters to Great Britain between December 1938 and the start of World War II, the stories of eight individual children are enhanced by photos, text boxes, quotes, drawings, maps, and a time line.

Rachel Kamin is the Director of the Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, IL.

Typical textbook chapter divisions notwithstanding, history never divides neatly into decades—but the giddy era that kicked off with the worldwide euphoria following the end of World War I in 1918 and crashed along with the stock market near the end of 1929 certainly came close. If it wasn’t exactly Party Time for everyone in America, the Roaring Twenties merits its general reputation as an era of sweeping social change and rising prosperity. It was a time of grand experiments, from the failed one dubbed “Prohibition” to the wildly successful, hard-won constitutional amendment that guaranteed voting rights to U.S. women. It was also a time of portable machine guns and bathtub gin, flappers and hot jazz, technological innovations from talking movies to television, Art Deco, the beginning of baseball’s home-run era, and the revolutionary development of frozen foods.

The books below will effectively sharpen readers’ knowledge and understanding of those colorful times. Most incorporate period photographs, documents, and other primary-source material; others filter careful research through the sensibilities of talented writers and illustrators to convey events, attitudes, and details of daily life from a variety of compelling angles. With a concentration on nonfiction, the first section gathers broad historical surveys, while the second offers a highly select assortment of closer looks at particular events and people. The final portion presents particularly perceptive examples of historical fiction.

Wide Angles

CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1920s Decade in Photos: The Roaring Twenties. (Amazing Decades in Photos Series). Enslow. 2010. PLB $27.93. ISBN 978-0-766-03131-9.
Gr 5-7—Grouped in topical chapters, the photographs in this visual history really make the decade’s mobsters, musicians, movie stars, flappers, financial tycoons, celebrities, and ordinary folk come alive. Both casual browsers and serious students of the times will find plenty to pore over in this gallery of faces, fashions, and events.

FEINSTEIN, Stephen. The 1920s: From Prohibition to Charles Lindbergh. Enslow. 2006. ISBN 978-0-766-02632-2. (OP)
Gr 6-8—Enhanced by color photos and other illustrations, this survey provides a broad overview of the decade’s high and low points. Along with important historical events, it covers social changes, developments in science and technology, the early years of the Harlem Renaissance, fads and fashions, and an array of related topics in a clear and readable way.

HILL, Laban Carrick. Harlem Stomp!: A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance. Little, Brown. 2004. PLB $24.50. ISBN 978-0-316-81411-9; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03424-1.
Gr 6 Up—Jazzy page design boosts the visual energy of this heavily illustrated survey of the distinctive art, music, and literature that fueled Harlem’s cultural ferment. Hill fills in the historical background from the Great Migration on, adds select passages from contemporary writers, and closes with a generous bibliography.

 LINDOP, Edmund & Margaret J. Goldstein. America in the 1920s. (The Decades of Twentieth-Century America Series). Lerner/Twenty-First Century. 2009. PLB $38.60. ISBN 978-0-761-32831-5.
Gr 5-8—Along with highlighting significant figures and historical “Turning Points,” this solid survey offers students a coherent overview of the decade with chapters on politics, the economy, Prohibition, literature, the arts, and sports, enhanced by plenty of illustrations and leads to additional sources of information.

STANLEY, George E. An Emerging World Power, 1900-1929. (Primary Source History of the United States Series.) World Almanac Library. 2005. PLB $31. ISBN 978-0-836-85828-0; pap. $14.05. ISBN 978-0-836-85837-2.
Gr 5-8—Particularly valuable for its extensive use of contemporary letters, reports, news stories and other primary documents, this volume offers a broad view of our country’s political, economic, and social history leading up to and through the decade of the 1920s.

Closer Looks

BAUSUM, Ann. With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman’s Right to Vote. National Geographic. 2004. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-0-792-27647-0; PLB 32.90. ISBN 978-0-792-26996-0.
Gr 5 Up—The 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment marked a revolutionary moment in our country’s political and social history. In vibrant prose and engrossing period photos, Bausum chronicles the down and dirty battles that led to ratification and taught a generation of women how to shake off traditional constraints on their rights, lives, and minds.

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-596-43449-3. ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-466-80158-5.
Gr 6-9—Opening with multiple bangs—the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, to be exact—this rousing account of Prohibition’s history and its immediate and long-term effects on our society makes colorful reading. Profusely illustrated and well documented, Blumenthal’s narrative paints vivid pictures of both the era and memorable figures from Al Capone to Carrie Nation.

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929. S & S/Atheneum, 2002. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-689-84276-4; ebook $13.84. ISBN 978-1-4424-8891-5.
Gr 6 Up—This searching, informative examination of the watershed event that brought the Roaring Twenties to a precipitate close not only analyzes the causes of the disaster, but also conveys a sharp sense of its devastating economic and emotional effects. For readers with an awareness of contemporary financial woes, Blumenthal’s account creates a link between that seemingly distant time and our own.

BRIGHTON, Catherine. Keep Your Eye on the Kid: The Early Years of Buster Keaton. illus. by author. Roaring Brook. 2008. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-596-43158-4.
Gr 3-5—“Face,” his father would say to remind him to keep the frozen expression that in later years helped to make him one of the greatest comic actors of the silent film era. Keaton’s distinctive style of comedy and his fascination with the possibilities of the movie camera infuse this droll visual presentation of his semilegendary early life and career.

BURGAN, Michael. The Scopes Trial: Faith, Science, and American Education. (Perspectives On Series). Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $39.93. ISBN 978-0-761-44981-2.
Gr 7-9—In a close study of one of the most dramatic and significant trials in this country’s history, Burgan presents a clear picture of the issues that drove it, recounts the trial’s course and events leading up to it, and profiles the figures involved from Scopes himself to William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow.

BURLEIGH, Robert. Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh. illus. by Mike Wimmer. Philomel. 1991. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-698-11425-8.
Gr 1-3—Celebrating one of the most renowned feats in aviation history, this soaring tribute to Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight features a terse first-person narrative that heightens the drama in Wimmer’s luminous illustrations. Readers will be swept along on the adventure, as both the Spirit of St. Louis and its intrepid, ultimately exhausted young pilot positively pulse with life.

FINKELSTEIN, Norman H. Three Across: The Great Atlantic Air Race of 1927. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek. 2008. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-590-78462-4.
Gr 5-8—Though Charles Lindbergh deserves credit for being the first to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, the story of his adventure is joined in this exciting, high energy account by those of the equally daring aviators who came in second and third. Finkelstein folds in plenty of photographs and infuses his tale with a compelling feeling for the journey’s deadly hazards.

FLEISCHMAN, Sid. Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-061-89640-8; PLB $20.89. ISBN 978-0-06-189641-5.
Gr 5 Up—In this outstanding profile, Fleischman incorporates careful research and archival photos into a playful, nuanced biography of a complex man who rose from unlikely beginnings to become the greatest film comedian ever. Audio version available from AudioGo.

GOURLEY, Catherine. Flappers and the New American Woman: Perceptions of Women from 1918 through the 1920s. (Images and Issues of Women in the Twentieth Century Series). Lerner/Twenty-First Century. 2007. PLB $38.60. ISBN 978-0-822-56060-9.
Gr 6 Up—Combining sharp analysis with a generous array of period photos and advertisements, this study traces changes in the public images of women through the decade. Drawing examples from a wide range of social classes as well as racial and ethnic backgrounds, the author includes profiles of iconic figures such as Zelda Fitzgerald along with less-well-known game changers.

HINTON, Kerry. The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti: A Primary Source Account. (Great Trials of the Twentieth Century Series). Rosen. 2004. PLB $31.95. ISBN 978-0-823-93973-2.
Gr 6-8—Based on photos, court transcripts, and other contemporary documents, Hinton’s account of the then-sensational and enduringly controversial trial and execution sheds a light on that time’s attitudes toward immigrants and political activists. Thoughtful readers will find those attitudes discomfitingly familiar.

KRULL, Kathleen. T he Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth. illus. by Greg Crouch. Knopf. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84561-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94561-8.
Gr 2-5—Krull tells the inspiring story of a brilliant, if obscure, electronics geek who parlayed an idea that came to him while plowing a potato field into one of the 20th century’s most revolutionary inventions. Smoothly modeled, sometimes fanciful illustrations give visual expression to the scientist’s searching intelligence and vivid imagination.

NIVEN, Felicia Lowenstein. Fabulous Fashions of the 1920s. (Fabulous Fashions of the Decades Series). Enslow. 211. PLB $23.93. ISBN 978-0-766-03551-5; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-59845-275-4.
Gr 5-8—In lively observations festooned with stylish, full-color and black-and-white period photographs and advertisements, Niven surveys the decade’s changing fashions in men’s and women’s clothing, footwear, hairstyles, and accessories.

PINKNEY, Andrea. Duke Ellington, the Piano Prince and His Orchestra. illus. by Brian Pinkney. Hyperion. 1998. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-786-81420-6.
Gr 1-5—Though Ellington’s orchestra made music for decades, it was his historic New York gigs and recordings in the 1920s that jumpstarted his career. The story of this jazz pioneer is told in language and illustrations that evoke the smooth elegance of the music he wrote and played.

TAVARES, Matt. Becoming Babe Ruth. illus. by the author. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-763-65646-1.
Gr 1-4—Looking appropriately larger than life and glowing with good cheer in Tavares’s painted illustrations, baseball’s greatest player steps up to the plate in this quick and engaging run through his upbringing and spectacular career. The author closes with a stat box and a tribute to the Babe’s awesome stature, both in his time and in ours.

Catching The Flavor

HALL, Bruce Edward. Henry and the Kite Dragon. illus. by William Low. Philomel. 2004. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-23727-0.
K-Gr 4—Set in New York City in the 1920s, this tale of a peacefully resolved clash between young people in Chinatown and the adjacent Little Italy not only makes a point about the causes of intolerance, but also conveys a clear sense of place and time—thanks particularly to Low’s vivid, atmospheric illustrations.

HESSE, Karen. Witness. Scholastic. 2001. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-439-27199-8; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-439-27200-1.
Gr 6 Up—Inspired by actual events and shaped into a free-verse, multivoiced narrative, this intensely felt account of the arrival of the KKK in a small Vermont town in the mid-1920s effectively sets both the broader social and historical stage and the smaller, local one, on which a mix of triumph and tragedy plays out. Audio version available from Listening Library.

HUGHES, Shirley. Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz Age Cinderella. illus by author. S & S. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-689-87399-7.
Gr 1-4—Dressing her figures in elegant fashions based on period styles, Hughes crafts a 1920s Cinderella variant starring a dress-shop seamstress named Ella Cinders and Buttons, a humble delivery boy whom she chooses over the aristocratic Duke of Arc because he “could always make her laugh, even if her mouth was full of pins.”

LEVINE, Gail Carson. Dave at Night. HarperCollins. 1999. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-440747-2.
Gr 4-6—In a novel based on the author’s family history, young Dave escapes his harsh life in an orphanage for the swinging night life of Harlem’s streets and speakeasies. An absorbing, fast-paced tale rich in period detail. Audio version available from Listening Library.

MYERS, Walter Dean. Harlem Summer. Scholastic. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-36843-8; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-439-36844-5.
Gr 6-9—A teenager bumps up against Fats Waller, Langston Hughes, and additional Harlem Renaissance luminaries—as well as bootleggers and other shady characters—in this high-spirited historical novel. Myers artfully blends historical figures into a rollicking urban adventure.

TARPLEY, Natasha. Joe-Joe’s First Flight. illus. by Earl B. Lewis. Knopf. 2003. (Note: print ed. seems to be OP, but Kindle ed. is available.)
Gr 2-4—Featuring illustrations rich in period detail, this tale of a young lad in a 1920s small town who dreams of flying to the Moon highlights the historical struggle of African Americans whose own hopes of becoming aviators were hobbled by racial prejudice.

TATE, Eleanora E. Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance. Little, Brown. 2007. Tr $15.99. 978-0-316-52394-3; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-316-11362-5; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04046-4.
Gr 4-7—Fresh up from the South in 1921, young Celeste is shocked to discover that Harlem isn’t quite the glamorous place she had supposed—but amid the ferment of new music, culture, and ideas she finds keys to her own coming of age. Tate’s tale is livened with historical detail and an authentic sense of period.

TIMONY, Peter. The Night Owls, Bk.1. illus. by Bobby Timony. DC Comics/Zuda. 2010. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-401-22673-2.
Gr 5-8—With panels rich in period style, these web-comic episodes feature three New York detectives—a scientist who is allergic to daylight, a flapper with a mean punch, and a Coney Island gargoyle who will eat just about anything—who fight vampires, evil masterminds, and other supernatural threats at the height of Prohibition.

WEATHERFORD, Carole Boston. Dear Mr. Rosenwald. illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Scholastic. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-49522-6.
Gr 2-5—In free verse paired to Christie’s strong, expressionistic illustrations, Weatherford delivers a moving account of how a rural Southern community came together, sparked by seed money from a Sears business executive, to build a school for African American children. Inspired by a true story.

John Peters is a Children’s Literature Consultant in New York City.

Tales of the Heart

BURKS, James. Bird & Squirrel on the Run! illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31283-7.
Gr 2-6–Stalked by a ferocious feline, two critters with polar-opposite personalities–carefree Bird and scared-of-everything Squirrel–flee together south toward safety, and their hair-raising, humor-filled, save-each-other’s-skin adventures gradually transform an uneasy alliance into deep-felt friendship. Burks’s graphic novel sparkles with crisp color artwork, quip-cracking dialogue, and plenty of heart.

BUZZEO, Toni. One Cool Friend. illus. by David Small. Dial. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3413-5.
PreS-Gr 3–A “very proper” tuxedo-wearing boy discovers a kindred spirit at the penguin display at the aquarium, pops the critter into his backpack, and goes about making Magellan feel at home, all under the large-size nose of his seemingly oblivious father. A hoot, with perfect comic interplay between the wryly straight-faced storytelling and supple-lined artwork.

CRUMMEL, Susan Stevens & Dorothy Donohue. City Dog, Country Dog. illus. by Dorothy Donohue. Marshall Cavendish. 2004. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-2-223-42222-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5538-7.
K-Gr 4–After meeting at art school in France, best pals Henri T. Lapooch and Vincent van Dog must surmount discordant personalities and preferences to find common ground. Filled with clever references to the canine characters’ true-life inspirations (Toulouse-Lautrec and van Gogh), this Aesop-based story blithely blends upbeat text, vibrant collage artwork, and a resounding moral (“Vive la difference!”). Audio version available from Spoken Arts Media.

DICAMILLO, Kate & Alison McGhee. Bink & Gollie. illus. by Tony Fucile. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3266-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5954-7.
Gr 1-3–Two girls–one tiny, tousled, and puckish; the other tall, tidy, and coolly self-possessed; both delightfully quirky and headstrong–embark on three hilarious adventures that showcase their differences while celebrating the special bond they share. Droll dialogue, splattered-with-color cartoons, and perfect comic timing add up to a whole lot of fun. The zany escapades continue in Bink & Gollie, Two for One (Candlewick, 2012). DVD and audio version available from Weston Woods.

ESBAUM, Jill. Tom’s Tweet. illus. by Dan Santat. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85171-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95171-8; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98472-3.
K-Gr 2–Coming across a fallen-out-of-the-nest baby bird, a scruffy stray cat exclaims, “Hello, breakfast,” but “Dadburn it!,” the quivering tot is just too skinny to consume, and “Consarn it!,” too helpless to leave on its own. In this riotous read-aloud, rousing rhymes and rambunctious caricature-style cartoons describe how Tom goes from chompers-ready predator to tweety-cuddling chum.

GORBACHEV, Valeri. How to Be Friends with a Dragon. illus. by author. Albert Whitman. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3432-8.
PreS-Gr 2–Simon loves everything about dragons, and while listening to his older sister expound upon the basics of befriending these beasts (from “be nice” to wear your seatbelt if he takes you flying), the boy envisions imagination-soaring interactions with a smiling green-scaled companion. Engaging narrative and airy artwork gracefully balance realism with fantasy, humor with gentle affection.

GREY, Mini. The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon. illus. by author. Knopf. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-83691-6.
Gr 1-4–The nursery-rhyme twosome runs away to 1920s New York City, where they find fame as vaudeville stars, turn to crime after going broke, and are tragically separated after an unsuccessful heist. However, true love withstands the vagaries of fate, resulting in a joyful reunion years later. Colorful collages and snappy narrative shine with playful details and invigorating élan.

HOWE, James. Otter and Odder: A Love Story. illus. by Chris Raschka. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $14. ISBN 978-0-7636-4174-0.
Gr 1-3–Gazing into the “round, sweet, glistening eyes” of his soon-to-be dinner, Otter finds himself falling for his food source, Myrtle the fish. Can this star-crossed, cross-species couple overcome wagging tongues and innate predator-prey instincts to find their happy-ever-after ending? The lyrical narrative and childlike artwork convey wise truths about following one’s heart and cherishing love.

KOSTECKI-SHAW, Jenny Sue. Same, Same but Different. illus. by author. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8946-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4668-1116-4.
K-Gr 2–When pen pals Elliot and Kailash begin to exchange drawings and letters, they discover that even though they live in two different countries–America and India–they have much in common. Jewel-toned mixed-media illustrations dynamically depict details of both worlds, encouraging readers to identify aspects unique to each culture while appreciating the universality of shared interests and affection.

LANGSTAFF, John, retel. Frog Went A-Courtin’. illus by Feodor Rojankovsky. Harcourt. 1955. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-15-230214-6; pap. $7. ISBN 978-0-15-633900-1.
PreS-Gr 4–An amphibian dandy gallantly woos the lovely Mistress Mouse, wedding preparations are made, and the couple celebrates with animal and insect guests until a pouncing cat brings an end to the festivities and prompts an early honeymoon departure. This sprightly retelling of a folk song harmonizes toe-tapping couplets with spellbinding homespun artwork. Audio version available from Weston Woods.

LEAR, Edward. The Owl and the Pussycat. illus. by Jan Brett. Putnam. 1991. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-21925-2; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-698-11367-1.
PreS-Gr 4–Lear’s whimsical poem about two seemingly mismatched lovers unfurls against a lush-hued, lavishly imagined Caribbean setting. Mingling detailed realism with fanciful charm, the sun-shimmering paintings depict the tender courtship between dashing fowl and dainty feline aboard their “pea-green boat,” while another romance–a tale of two tropical fish separated and reunited–plays out beneath the ocean’s surface.

MILLER, Bobbi, retel. Miss Sally Ann and the Panther. illus. by Megan Lloyd. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1833-6.
K-Gr 3–When the feted American folk heroine meets a mean-as-tarnation varmint in the woods, a tree-felling, gorge-clawing, Milky Way-curdling brawl ensues, a “conbobberation” that lasts until both combatants prove their mettle, smile at one another, and become “great and glorious friends.” A rip-roaring tall tale with tongue-tingling language and bold-as-brass artwork.

PINKWATER, Daniel. Bear in Love. illus. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4569-4.
PreS–Someone has been leaving tasty treats for Bear, causing him to sing jubilant songs and to leave his own sweet offerings. Kindness adds to kindness until the two finally meet–it’s a shy bunny–to share their mutual enthusiasm for food, music, and one another. This charmer soars with scrumptious storytelling and sweet-as-pie paintings.

RICHARDSON, Justin & Peter Parnell. And Tango Makes Three. illus. by Henry Cole. S & S. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-6898-7845-9; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2410-4.
PreS-Gr 3–Two male penguins forge an enduring bond, construct a nest, and start a family by caring for an abandoned egg. Set in New York City’s Central Park Zoo and based on a true story, this tale pairs enchanting sherbet-hued watercolors and fine-tuned text to speak volumes about the importance of tolerance and the power of love.

RUNTON, Andy. Bright Lights and Starry Nights. illus. by author. (Owly & Wormy Series). S & S/Atheneum. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5775-1; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5439-2.
K-Gr 3–Two unlikely besties embark on a star-gazing camping trip marked by mishaps that test their verve and their nerve before finally catching sight of an awe-inspiring vista and winning a few new pals. Starring an amiable round-eyed owl and a spunky comma-shaped worm, this wordless sequel to Friends All Aflutter! (Atheneum, 2011) conveys events and emotions with ebullient drenched-in-dusky-hues cartoons and pictograph thought bubbles.

SAUER, Tammi. Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever or Snack Time? illus. by Michael Slack. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-85285-0.
PreS-Gr 2–Nugget and Fang are boon companions until Nugget swims off to school and is taught that minnows can’t be buddies with sharks (as per the food chain). They part ways, but when Nugget’s life is endangered, faithful Fang gets the chance to prove his affection. Tongue-in-gill text and buoyant deep-water-hued cartoons send a heartfelt message about friendship.

STEAD, Philip C. A Home for Bird. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-711-1.
PreS-Gr 4–While out foraging for “interesting things,” a toad instead finds a friend (an illustration shows the wooden-looking bird falling off a cuckoo clock on a passing-by pickup). Worried that his pal’s stony silence is symptomatic of homesickness, Vernon takes Bird on a daring quest to locate his abode. Deadpan text and effervescent artwork relate a smile-inducing tale of altruism and empathy. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

STEIG, William. Amos & Boris. illus. by author. Farrar. 1971. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30227-6; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-53566-7.
K-Gr 5–While sailing the high seas, a venturesome mouse falls overboard and is rescued by an affable whale. Despite vast disparities in size and stomping grounds, the two mammals forge a friendship that resurfaces years later when Boris ends up in dire need of Amos’s assistance. Lighthearted watercolors and an eloquent narrative create a wise, witty, and wonder-filled tale.

WEEKS, Sarah. Woof: A Love Story. illus. by Holly Berry. HarperCollins/Laura Geringer. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-025007-2.
K-Gr 2–Smitten by a pretty white cat with sparkling green eyes, a dog tries to articulate his feelings to her, but his “woofs” and “grrrs” only send her scampering up a tree…until he digs up a “shiny brass [trom]bone,” trumpets his emotions with passionate gusto, and wins her heart. A read-aloud romp with breezy rhymes and exuberant collage artwork.

WILLEMS, Mo. City Dog, Country Frog. illus. by Jon J. Muth. Hyperion/Disney. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0300-4.
PreS-Gr 2–On a glorious spring day, a tail-wagging pooch meets a smiling amphibian and amity blossoms. Through the seasons, City Dog returns to frolic and reminisce with his pal. When winter’s visit finds Country Frog no longer there, spring’s return brings the comfort of remembrance and a new companion. Spare text and touched-with-light watercolors create an uplifting ode to friendship.

Easy Readers, Endearing Friendships

BELL, Cece. Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5475-7.
K-Gr 2–When the evening doesn’t go as planned, single-minded Rabbit overreacts, but logical Robot remains unruffled and demonstrates how to roll with the punches, until he runs out of steam and Rabbit comes to the rescue. Funny situations, nuts-and-bolts visual high jinx, and a satisfying meeting-of-minds resolution leave readers rolling with laughter.

HOWE, James. Houndsley and Catina: Plink and Plunk. illus. by Marie-Louise Gay. Candlewick. 2009. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3385-1; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6640-8.
K-Gr 2–Though best friends, a floppy-eared dog and snowy-furred cat have dissimilar interests–he likes canoeing while she likes bicycling. After a few frustrating outings, they discover that they must help one another overcome fears in order to share these favorite pastimes. Part of a charmingly illustrated and invitingly told series featuring two winsome characters.

LOBEL, Arnold. Frog and Toad Are Friends. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1970. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-023957-2; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-444020-2; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-197410-6.
K-Gr 3–Frog is outgoing and spontaneous while Toad is more staid and set in his ways, but these companions share a tried-and-true friendship filled with heartwarming empathy and a genuine appreciation for one another’s foibles and fortitudes. The first in a series of grin-making adventures, told with accessible language, packed-with-personality artwork, and everlasting child appeal. Audio version available from HarperFestival.

WEEKS, Sarah. Mac and Cheese and the Perfect Plan. illus. by Jane Manning. HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-117082-9; pap. $3.99. ISBN 987-0-06-117084-3.
K-Gr 2–In this second adventure about two feline friends, happy-go-lucky Mac is determined to get curmudgeonly Cheese out of the alley and off to the seashore, but when Cheese’s hemming and hawing causes them to miss the bus, he grudgingly finds a way to placate Mac and make some fun. Rhyme-filled text and comical artwork shine with humor and affection.

WILLEMS, Mo. Let’s Go for a Drive! illus. by author. (Elephant and Piggie Series). Hyperion. 2012. RTE $8.99. ISBN 978-142316482-1.
K-Gr 2–Meticulous-minded Gerald the elephant formulates a plan for the perfect road trip, sending ever-peppy Piggie scrambling to gather supplies. When one small detail (they don’t have a car) derails the undertaking—as well as Gerald–Piggie cheerfully comes up with a new plan. Kinetic cartoons, zesty text, and an unforgettable friendship combine in this laugh-out-loud addition to a never-miss series.

True Tales

BUCKLEY, Carol. Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends. photos by author. Putnam. 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25443-7.
K-Gr 5–After years in the entertainment industry, Tarra retired to Tennessee’s Elephant Sanctuary but never paired off with a pachyderm pal like the other inhabitants. Surprisingly, the role of BFF was filled by a feisty stray dog. Crystal-clear photos and straightforward text describe how the two unlikely but devoted companions romp and play, communicate, and look after one another.

HATKOFF, Isabella, Craig Hatkoff, & Paula Kahumbu. Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. photos by Peter Greste. Scholastic. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-82973-1.
K-Gr 5–Stranded on a coral reef by a 2004 tsunami, a baby hippopotamus was rescued, transported to an animal sanctuary in Kenya, and placed in an enclosure occupied by a 130-year-old tortoise. The long-lasting bond that ensued has amazed scientists and inspired many. Engaging close-up images and compelling text relate events with clarity and an emphasis on hope. The story continues in Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship (Scholastic, 2007).

JURMAIN, Susan Tripp. Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud. illus. by Larry Day. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47903-1.
Gr 2-5–As different as “pickles and ice cream,” tall, shy Thomas and short, loquacious John were the best of friends, working together to shape their newly born nation, until a passionate disagreement about presidential powers caused a political and personal rift that only time–and true affection–could overcome. Vivacious text and witty pencil-and-watercolor artwork blend historical detail with winning humor. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

LARSON, Kirby & Mary Nethery. Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival. illus. by Jean Cassels. Walker. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-9754-4; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-9755-1.
K-Gr 3–Left homeless by the devastating storm, a dog and a cat–dubbed Bobbi and Bob Cat for their bobbed tails–wandered the streets of New Orleans for months, surviving only by sticking together, until they were finally rescued by animal shelter volunteers. Simple narrative and soft-toned realistic paintings tell a stirring tale of companionship. DVD available from Nutmeg Media.

THIMMESH, Catherine. Friends. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-39010-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-76921-9.
K-Gr 2–Strikingly photographed instances of remarkable animal amity–an elderly orangutan cuddling with a cat, a lion cub and piglet snuggled up and snoozing, a polar bear romping with a sled dog–are paired with simple rhyming verses that elucidate the wonders of friendship (prose paragraphs provide background information). This audience-grabber will inspire discussion along with “oohs” and “awws.”

Illustration by James Ransome from This Is the Dream (HarperCollins, 2006).

Fifty years ago this May, people around our country turned on their televisions to the sight of children being viciously assaulted with fire hoses and snarling dogs by uniformed grown men, their faces twisted with hatred. The violence in Birmingham, Alabama, stirred a swelling of national conscience and raised questions demanding an answer: Do we really believe that “all men are created equal”? What would our country look like if we really did? What has to change to make that dream a reality?

Until recently, most books for children about the Civil Rights Movement focused on the great leaders. Now, authors and illustrators are using multiple lenses, choosing to illuminate the inner workings of a populist revolution in which many people, with differing beliefs, made difficult choices. Historical fiction and poetry delve empathetically into motivations, situations, and dilemmas. Enticing nonfiction presents a variety of primary sources representing multiple viewpoints, asking readers to compare and contrast versions of reality, draw their own inferences, find personal meaning, and examine the art of history-telling.

These books about the Civil Rights era contain universal themes: How do we recognize and address our own prejudices? How do we make social change happen? How do we find the strength to overcome adversity and do what we know to be right? How can one person change the world? Give these titles to students so that they may start to answer these questions for themselves.

Panning the Scene
Background, Overviews, Introductions

ARONSON, Marc. Race: A History Beyond Black and White. S & S/Atheneum. 2007. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-689-86554-1.
Gr 10 Up—This weighty tome breaks down the social construct of “race,” revealing how it developed, morphed, and impacted societies from the Ancient Greeks to today. Aronson mixes in graphically detailed atrocities alongside deeply personal examinations of his own prejudices and hypothetical modern-day scenarios to guide deeper understanding.

BARTOLETTI, Susan Campbell. They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group.Houghton Mifflin. 2010. Tr $19. ISBN 978-0-618-44033-7.
Gr 7 Up—In an unflinching chronology of the K.K.K., Bartoletti purposefully draws from and presents primary sources representing a range of perspectives, including that of violent white supremacists themselves, in the form of images, interview clips, and more. Guaranteed to provoke fruitful discussion. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

OSBORNE, Linda Barrett. Miles to Go for Freedom: Segregation and Civil Rights in the Jim Crow Era. Abrams. 2012. RTE $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0020-0.
Gr 6-10—Osborne thoroughly supports her historical examination of segregation with well-chosen quotations, rare photographs, ephemera, and other visual information from the Library of Congress. This cleanly written history of the Jim Crow era is ideal for anyone studying the times, or simply interested in our shared past. A highly readable, substantive title.

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down. illus. by Brian Pinkney. Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07016-4.
Gr 2-5–With the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth counter sit-in as a central example and food as a metaphor, Pinkney’s highly readable poetic phrases relate how ordinary people’s nonviolent actions eventually led to integration. Brian Pinkney’s buoyant color washes with vibrant ink drawings enhance the spirited tone of his wife’s words.

RAMSEY, Calvin A. Ruth and the Green Book. illus. by Floyd Cooper. Carolrhoda. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5255-6.
Gr 1-4–A young African American girl uses the Green Book to find black-friendly businesses on her family’s 1950 car trip from Chicago to rural Alabama, easing the pain of her first encounters with Jim Crow. Cooper’s art, using a grainy, subdued palette that subtly evokes historical photographs, supports this understated but interesting slice of history.

SHANGE, Ntozake. We Troubled the Waters. illus. by Rod Brown. HarperCollins/Amistad. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-133735-2; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206563-6.
Gr 6 Up–Shange’s spare, dialect-strong poems are vivid, emotional snapshots of the Jim Crow South from a black perspective. They leave plenty of thought-provoking, unspoken ideas between the lines. Together with Brown’s photograph-inspired muralistic oil paintings, this powerful book invokes personal reactions to historical wrongs.

SHELTON, Paula Young. Child of the Civil Rights Movement. illus. by Raul Colón. Random/Schwartz & Wade. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84314-3; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95414-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98281-1.
K-Gr 3–Colón’s richly textured pastels match Shelton’s inviting, friendly descriptions of being a small child among the loving inner circle of leading Civil Rights families. These vignettes from Andrew Young’s daughter simultaneously magnify and humanize the struggle.

SHORE, Diana Z. & Jessica Alexander. This Is the Dream. illus. by James Ransome. HarperCollins/Amistad. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-055519-1; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-055520-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-06-055521-4.
K-Gr 3–Glowingly illustrated with a strong palette, this short “House That Jack Built”-metered picture book starts with imagery of segregation, proceeds to iconic nonviolent protests, and culminates with integrated, happy modern children. This excellent read-aloud celebrates the gains of the Civil Rights Movement with a heartfelt sense of patriotic pride. Younger children will need explanations throughout.

STOTTS, Stuart. We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World. foreword by Pete Seeger. illus. by Terrance Cummings. Clarion. 2010. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-547-18210-0.
Gr 4 Up–The anthem of the Civil Rights Movement steadied and fortified the righteous. Here is a mini-ethnomusicological study of the song, from its origins through its role at many dangerous and important protests. Archival images, strong poster-art-inspired red/black/white artwork, and a CD accompany the story of the song’s journey.

WATKINS, Angela Farris. My Uncle Martin’s Words for America. illus. by Eric Velasquez. Abrams. 2011. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0022-4.
K-Gr 4–In the grand tradition of deifying King, this title works well as a lap-read companion to Doreen Rappaport’s Martin’s Big Words (Hyperion, 2001). Bold text emphasizes the simple concepts of King’s satyagraha philosophy while taking on a more complete, but age-appropriate, history of the movement. Bright oil-painted portraits backed by stars and stripes lend a patriotic tone.

Zooming In
Places & Events

BAUSUM, Ann. Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights, and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Final Hours. National Geographic. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0939-7; PLB $28.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0940-3; ebook $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0945-8.
Gr 6 Up–When the Civil Rights Movement arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968, the volatile mix of poverty, racial discrimination, and the black community’s own splintered loyalties came to a boil. This behind-the-scenes exposé sheds light on a specific place and time usually overshadowed by the subsequent assassination of King at the Lorraine Hotel.

BRIMNER, Larry Dane. Birmingham Sunday. Boyds Mill/Calkins Creek. 2010. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-613-0.
Gr 6 Up–Brimner homes in on the racially charged atmosphere of Birmingham in 1963 by hooking readers with details about the four victims of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing. These 48 pages, packed with photographs and sidebars of related information, reveal the shocking extent to which raw violence and danger were prevalent.

CONKLING, Winifred. Sylvia & Aki. Tricycle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-337-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-438-1.
Gr 4-6–Meet Sylvia and Aki, two real Southern Californian girls facing government-supported discrimination during World War II. Extrapolating from interviews, Conkling has crafted an alternating-narrator novel that compares and contrasts experiences by Americans of Mexican and Japanese heritage. This title reminds readers that the Civil Rights Movement wasn’t just about inequities faced by African Americans.

DUDLEY, David. L. Caleb’s Wars. Clarion. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-23997-2; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-547-53420-6.
Gr 7 Up–In this novel of World War II-era rural Georgia, Caleb, a 15-year-old African American, chafes at the ways his family and community take Jim Crow for granted, despite his brother’s service in the U.S. Army. Getting to know a German POW assigned to work with him intensifies Caleb’s determination to claim his dignity.

EVANS, Shane W. We March. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-539-1; eook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-46681-084-6.
PreS-Gr 3–Evans’s expansive, richly colored, simplistic paintings depict a young African American family preparing for and attending the 1963 March on Washington. With carefully chosen, spare language, this simple book powerfully re-creates the event. Brief back matter provides much-needed context.

KITTINGER, Jo S. Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights. illus. by Steven Walker. Boyds Mill/Calkins Creek. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-722-9.
Gr 1-4–A fresh twist on the familiar tale of Rosa Parks’s defiance and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, with straightforward, simple storytelling, focuses on the historical nature of the bus itself. Walker’s bright oil paintings balance the text and mood throughout. Endnotes offer additional information for the inevitable questions from a read-aloud audience.

LEVINE, Kristin. The Lions of Little Rock. Putnam. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25644-8; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-1-424-2435-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-101-55044-1.
Gr 5-8–This novel depicts 1958 Little Rock, roiling in racial tension in the wake of the Little Rock Nine. Desperately shy Marley befriends a new classmate at her still-segregated white middle school. When it’s discovered that her new friend is actually a black girl passing for white, the two must decide how important their friendship is. Audio version available from Listening Library.

LEVINSON, Cynthia Y. We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. Peachtree. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-627-7.
Gr 7 Up–Fifty years ago, thousands of children purposefully set out to get themselves arrested and abused by marching in defiance of the most militant government-supported segregationists. This photo-essay interweaves the stories and memories of four disparate participants with contextual photographs and information, reveling in the marchers’ can-do spirit and sense of power. Audio version available from Listening Library.

LONG, Mark & Jim Demonakos. The Silence of Our Friends: The Civil Rights Struggle Was Never Black and White. illus by Nate Powell. First Second. 2012. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-618-3.
Gr 9 Up–Fiercely segregated 1968 Houston is the backdrop for this hard-hitting graphic novel memoir. It follows a confused white suburban kid and his photojournalist father when a black activist and his family enter their lives. The black-and-white palette contributes to a gritty, film noir tone as the authors openly depict people’s ugliness, uncertainty, selfishness, and cowardice.

MAGOON, Kekla. The Rock and the River. S & S/Aladdin. 2009. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7582-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7803-9; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4391-5335-2.
Gr 7 Up–Sam, a 13-year-old African American Chicagoan in the summer of 1968, is torn between the pacifist path promoted by his reverend father and the more militant actions of the Black Panther party favored by his older brother. A sequel, Fire in the Streets (S & S, 2012), goes into greater detail about the day-to-day lives of the Black Panthers. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

NELSON, Marilyn. A Wreath for Emmett Till. illus. by Philippe Lardy. Houghton Harcourt. 2005. RTE $17. ISBN 978-0-618-39752-5; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-547-07636-2; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-547-77317-9.
Gr 9 Up–Nelson’s powerful crown of sonnets eulogizes the black 14-year-old brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955, applying changing perspective, allusions to famous poets, vivid imagery, and metaphor. The sophisticated poetry, expounded upon in the back matter, is accompanied by simple, symbolic artwork, creating a cohesively charged and moving experience.

PARTRIDGE, Elizabeth. Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary. Viking. 2009. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01189-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-101-15097-9.
Gr 6 Up–From Bloody Sunday to the March on Montgomery, this nonfiction book presents the events of the summer of 1965 in Selma, Alabama, in a photo-journalistic story arc, complete with real-life teenage “characters” found through extensive interviews. Well-chosen, striking photographs contextualize the chronological retelling, supporting the real-life drama. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

SCATTERGOOD, Augusta. Glory Be. Scholastic. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-33180-7.
Gr 4-7–In 1964 when her small Mississippi town closes Glory’s beloved swimming pool to avoid integration, the naive white 11-year-old takes a stand. Glory’s story, focusing primarily on members of the white community, compares and contrasts the small actions and inactions of different characters.

TOUGAS, Shelley. Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration. (Captured History Series). Compass Point. 2012. PLB $33.99. ISBN 978-0-7565-4440-9; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-7565-4512-3.
Gr 4-8–The focus here is the shocking photograph of 15-year-old Elizabeth Eckford being viciously jeered by a white peer as she and her fellow black students integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Tougas explains the context of the photograph and how the iconic image affected history.

WILLIAMS-GARCIA, Rita. One Crazy Summer. HarperCollins/Amistad. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-076088-5; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-076088-5; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196667-5.
Gr 5-9–Spending the summer of 1968 at a Black Panther summer camp is not what the three African American sisters of this novel intend when they visit their estranged mother in Oakland, California, but what they learn about racial identity and pride changes their lives forever. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

Portraits
Featured Faces

BRIMNER, Larry Dane. Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek. 2011. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-766-3.
Gr 6 Up–A fascinating photo-journalistic, two-person biography about the obstinate men who led black and white factions against each other in 1960s Birmingham, Alabama, not only showcases the important role played by the oft-overshadowed Rev. Fred L. Shuttleworth, but also reveals how extremist factions overrode the more moderate voices of other Birmingham residents.

HOOSE, Phillip. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2009. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-374-31322-7; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-66105-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-429-94821-0.
Gr 6 Up–Hoose’s slice of little-known history introduces readers to Claudette Colvin, the teenager who did exactly what Rosa Parks became so famous for nine months later. However, Colvin was marginalized by the very same famous adults (the NAACP, Dr. King, etc.) readers have been taught to revere. Guaranteed to spark a “That’s not fair!” response.

JEFFREY, Gary. Medgar Evers and the NAACP. illus. by Nick Spender. (A Graphic History of the Civil Rights Movement).Gareth Stevens. 2012. PLB $23.95. ISBN 978-1-4339-7495-3; pap. $8.15. ISBN 978-1-4339-7496-0; ebook $23.95. ISBN 978-1-4339-7498-4.
Gr 3-7–The richly colored, pamphlet-size graphic novels in this series are excellent fodder for reluctant readers. This old-fashioned dramatic comic-book retelling of the 1963 assassination of Mississippi Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers attributes a hero’s due to the man’s pride and perseverance. A brief textual preface and afterword frame the action.

NELSON, Vaunda Micheaux. No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller. illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Lerner/Carolrhoda LAB. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6169-5; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8727-5.
Gr 7 Up–The fascinating proprietor of Harlem’s National Memorial African Bookstore touched the lives of thousands of black Americans. This unique quasi-journalistic approach is comprised of faux memories from people Michaux affected, peppered with historical ephemera and Christie’s simple line ink drawings. Begs analysis of what makes a life well lived.

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. illus. by Brian Pinkney.Hyperion/Disney. 2012. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4257-7.
Gr 4 Up–In this compilation intended for sequential reading, Andrea Pinkney’s comfortable storytelling style showcases the intelligence, perseverance, and leadership of 10 black men from Benjamin Banneker through Barack Obama. A poem and a full-page lively facial portrait preface each fascinating biography; Brian Pinkney’s smaller, paint-washed scenes are also inset throughout.

STOKES, John A. with Lois Wolfe & Herman Viola. Students on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights, Brown, and Me.National Geographic. 2008. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0153-7; PLB $23.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0154-4.
Gr 5-9–In 1951, Stokes and other black students in Farmville, Virginia, organized against the city to request a high school building as nice as the one the white students attended. Reading Stokes’s chatty style is like hanging out with a guy who’s reminiscing about the accidentally remarkable things he did when he was young.

TEITELBAUM, Michael & Lewis Helfand. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Let Freedom Ring. illus. by Sankha Banerjee. (Campfire Graphic Novels Series). Campfire. Jan. 2013. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-93-80028-69-9
Gr 4-6–Drawn reproductions of iconic news photographs alternate with text boxes and imagined private moments as the biographers portray age-appropriate aspects of this very public figure’s life. A straightforward graphic-novel biography, each page rich with color, detail, and nicely balanced design.

Rhona Campbell is a teacher-librarian at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC.

It seems as though not a day goes by without the media covering a story about children’s health. Fast-food restaurants decide to list the nutritional information of their entrees. School districts ban soft-drink vending machines in their cafeterias. Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels. Affecting everyone is the recent Supreme Court decision on healthcare reform. The downside to all the attention is shading the notion of health with alarmist, prohibitive, or political attitudes. Getting children interested in the topic may be as hard as getting them to eat vegetables. The following titles for preschool through teen readers find the joy in being healthy, whether through realistic voices or characters, empowering youth to make their own choices, revealing fascinating facts about what goes on underneath our skin, or encouraging readers to lead active lives. Here’s to reading for health!

Thinking About Health

Elementary School

BUNTING, Eve. My Dog Jack Is Fat. illus. by Michael Rex. Marshall Cavendish. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5809-8.
K-Gr 1–Exercise and smaller portions are on the menu after the vet determines that Carson’s dog, Jack, is overweight. But as Jack struggles on a treadmill, Carson snacks on junk food. Comic illustrations anticipate the role reversal at Jack’s next appointment when the vet gently advises Carson to try “a little bit of what Jack’s been doing.”

BUTTERWORTH, Christine. How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Story of Food. illus. by Lucia Gaggiotti.Candlewick. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5005-6.
PreS-Gr 2–Retro-style cartoon illustrations and an engaging text follow the production of common edibles so the younger set can see where the food in a typical lunchbox comes from. Gaggiotti’s rendition of MyPlate (a new USDA nutrition guide) and a page of food facts reveal that lunch is just one component in a full day of healthy eating.

CAMPBELL, Bebe Moore. I Get So Hungry. illus. by Amy Bates. Putnam. 2008. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24311-0.
K-Gr 3–Though Nikki knows it’s wrong to find comfort in junk food, her mother’s unhealthy eating habits offer uneasy validation. After a medical scare, Nikki’s overweight teacher begins to turn things around by eating better and walking around the school every morning; Nikki decides to join her. Watercolor scenes add to this sensitive and thoughtful story.

CHILD, Lauren. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2000. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-76-361188-0.
PreS-Gr 2–Carrots become “orange twiglets from Jupiter” and mashed potatoes are made of cloud fluff from Mount Fuji as the enduring Charlie convinces his picky, younger sister, Lola, to eat her dinner. Kids and parents will appreciate Charlie’s creative approach to vegetables while humorous mixed-media art adds to the fun.

COBB, Vicki. Your Body Battles a Stomachache. photomicrographs by Dennis Kunkel. illus. by Andrew N. Harris. (Body Battlefields Series). Millbrook. 2009. PLB $25.26. ISBN 978-0-8225-7166-7.
Gr 1-4–Cells magnified by a scanning electron microscope combine with superhero illustrations and conversational text to provide a complete picture of how our bodies rally to fight off a variety of infections and injuries. Though the focus is on healing and not overall health, there are hints scattered throughout. Other titles in the series are equally engaging.

COREY, Shana. Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, and Swimsuit History! illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-439-69835-1.
Gr 2-5–Born in 1886, this inventor of water ballet and the modern swimsuit broke down barriers in both sports and fashion and “believed exercise was key not just to health but to self-esteem.” Bright digital-media illustrations evoke the period and capture Kellerman’s zest and grace. Those looking for a role model will find an incredible one here.

GUTMAN, Dan. Ms. Leakey Is Freaky! illus. by Jim Paillot. (My Weird School Daze Series). HarperCollins. 2011. PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-06-170403-1.
Gr 3-5–An overzealous health teacher will stop at nothing to get her students to eat right, even if it means ambushing them at the grocery store. Admonishments like, “Do you know what they put in a 3 Musketeers bar?” could prompt readers to take a look at nutritional labels. Zany cartoons packed with kid-appeal are interspersed.

HARPER, Charise Mericle. Henry’s Heart: A Boy, His Heart, and a New Best Friend. illus. by author. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8989-9.
K-Gr 3–Genially drawn with its own eyes and mouth, Henry’s heart beats in response to emotional and physical changes. Information about circulation and heart-friendly foods gets woven into the story of Henry’s wanting a new puppy, making it easy for children to learn how to make their own hearts happy (and healthy).

MCCARTHY, Meghan. Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas. illus. by author. Knopf. 2007. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-82940-6; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-92940-3.
Gr 1-5–Tormented by bullies, skinny Angelo Siciliano developed his own fitness routine and eventually became Charles Atlas, “The World’s Most Perfectly Developed Man.” Just as Atlas gained millions of young fans in his time, today’s readers will be inspired by his determination and commitment to health in this picture-book biography boasting colorful cartoon illustrations.

ROCKWELL, Lizzy. The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness. illus. by author. Crown. 2004. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-37-582203-2; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-37-592203-9.
PreS-Gr 3–Cheerful illustrations of active children in a park are followed by a diagram of a skeleton. The simple format repeats with muscles, the brain and nerves, lungs, heart and blood vessels, and the stomach and intestines. While providing a vocabulary for body parts, the book relays the connection between exercise and a healthy body.

Middle School & Up

BRANCATO, Robin F. Food Choices: The Ultimate Teen Guide. (It Happened to Me Series). Scarecrow. 2010. Tr $40. ISBN 978-0-8108-6109-1.
Gr 9 Up–Brancato offers wide-ranging information, including what classes to take to become a professional chef, the precautions needed to guarantee the safety of purchased food, and background on why we eat the way we do. Woven throughout are testimonials from teens, rounding out a title that works for reports as well as for encouraging smart decisions.

FRY, Erin. Losing It. Amazon. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-76-146220-0.
Gr 5-7–Bennett has a sedentary lifestyle, begrudgingly accepting his obesity until his father suffers a stroke. Staying with an aunt rife with good intentions who places him on a diet, Bennett finds a way to live healthier and stand up for himself by joining the cross-country team. Fry effectively captures the triumphant returns gained from hard work.

MCCLAIN, Lee. Sizzle. Marshall Cavendish. 2011. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5981-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-6093-0.
Gr 6-9–Sent to live with relatives in Pittsburgh, Linda is a fresh-ingredient foodie who must adjust to being part of a family where the matriarch hosts a TV show called “Cooking with Cans.” Readers will find a bright and likable character in Linda, whose healthy practices come effortlessly from her passion about good food. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

POLLAN, Michael. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat. adapt. by Richie Chevat. (Young Readers Edition). Dial. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3415-9.
Gr 7 Up–With a detective’s tenacity, Pollan investigates how the meals that end up on our tables come from four different food chains (industrial, industrial organic, local sustainable, hunter-gatherer). Added sections, like tips for eating and a Q&A with Pollan, offer motivation for readers who want to change their food habits. Engrossing and thought-provoking.

SCHLOSSER, Eric & Charles Wilson. Chew on This: Everything You Don’t Want to Know About Fast Food.Houghton Harcourt. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-61-871031-7.
Gr 6 Up–Just as Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation (2001) shed game-changing light on the country’s food industry and eating habits, this book for a younger audience offers a classic and still-engrossing examination of fast-food chains and how junk food gets marketed to children. As restaurants advertise lower-calorie alternatives, the information here is a yardstick for assessing change.

TELGEMEIER, Raina. Smile. illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. 2010. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-545-13205-3; pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-545-13206-0.
Gr 6-9–Besides the regular tribulations of transitioning from tween to teen, Raina has major dental problems. Her challenges and triumphs are immediately relatable, and several instances during her journey towards smiling without apprehension (like the panel featuring myriad oral-hygiene products) will have readers thinking about what is going on inside their own mouths.

Get Up and Move

Elementary School

CRONIN, Doreen. Stretch. illus. by Scott Menchin. S & S/Atheneum. 2009. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5341-8.
PreS-K–When creating a workout routine from Cronin and Menchin’s collaborations, it’s best to start with Stretch before Wiggle (2005) and Bounce (2007). After all, stretching can be done anywhere, even with imagined animals. All three titles sport an appealingly active canine energized by brightly colored pen-and-ink drawings. Use as wiggle-relieving openers before starting class or at storytime.

GO OUT AND PLAY! FAVORITE OUTDOOR GAMES FROM KABOOM! illus. by Juliana Rose. Candlewick. 2012. pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5530-3.
K Up–With just over 70 activities for outside play, children and parents will find the classics (from hide-and-seek to Duck, Duck, Goose) mixed in with creative variations on tag, relay races, and other games. Each page features one game explained with concise playing instructions and other requirements. Sections on facilitating play and getting involved ensure fun for all ages.

SPINELLI, Eileen. Miss Fox’s Class Shapes Up. illus. by Anne Kennedy. Albert Whitman. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-5171-4.
K-Gr 2–When her breakfast-skipping, low-energy students fall asleep at their desks, Miss Fox decides that becoming fit is a priority. The school nurse offers nutritious recipes; recess brings experimentation with jump ropes and Hula-Hoops, and cheerfully active animal characters demonstrate that being healthy is its own reward. Includes easy-to-adopt health and fitness tips.

THOMPSON, Lauren. Hop, Hop, Jump! illus. by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9745-0.
PreS-K–Children in a summer-camp setting enthusiastically demonstrate how to move different body parts, be it a finger (“Wiggle it.”), toe (“Waggle it.”), or bottom and head (“Upside-down it.”). A simple text and acrylic cartoon drawings sporting smiling boys and girls jumping, swimming, and enjoying the outdoors produce a lively storytime addition.

YOO, Taeeun. You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses. illus. by author. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25602-8.
PreS-Gr 2–Opening with a lovely, artistic rendition of a sun salutation, six multicultural children meet in a forest clearing to greet the morning with yoga stretches. The following pages show each child demonstrating a single age-appropriate pose (dog, mountain, lion, etc.), complemented by easy-to-imitate instructions. Yoo has crafted a perfect introduction to the practice.

Middle School & Up

AIKMAN, Louise & Matthew Harvey. Pilates Step-by-Step. ISBN 978-1-4488-1549-4.
JENNINGS, Madeleine & James Drewe. Tai Chi Step-by-Step. ISBN 978-1-4488-1551-7.
SPILLING, Michael & Liz Lark. Yoga Step-by-Step. ISBN 978-1-4488-1550-0.
ea vol: (Skills in Motion Series). Rosen, 2010. PLB $31.95.
Gr 9 Up–An introduction covers the history, principles, proper position/alignment, and breathing involved in each activity. Innovative stop-motion photography demonstrates the range of movement for each position and corresponding instructions appear below the photos. While the “instructors” are older than a teen audience, they lend an aura of expertise. These guides support students with a class or two under their belt.

Eating Healthy and Delicious Food

Elementary School

GIBBONS, Gail. The Vegetables We Eat. illus. by author. Holiday House. 2007. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2001-8.
K-Gr 4–Eager learners will find vegetable facts galore in this vibrant introduction, illustrated in Gibbons’s signature style. Topics such as the eight different kinds of vegetables (with over fifty varieties presented), the journey from the farm to store, and how to create your own garden are sure to nourish interest and eating.

GOURLEY, Robbin. First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew. illus. by author. Clarion. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-48224-8.
K-Gr 4–Gourley includes an historical perspective in this engaging title, but the heart of the matter is the effort spearheaded by Michelle Obama, who recruited local elementary school children to help plant the current garden. The garden’s success story, effectively paired with vibrant watercolor illustrations, champions home gardening and local produce as important aspects of healthy eating and living.

Grow It, Cook It: Simple Gardening Projects and Delicious Recipes. DK. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-75-663367-7.
Gr 3-6–After a brief overview of plants, recycling and compost, and a list of cooking terms, hands-on gardening and cooking begins with pictures accompanying each step of the instructions. Related recipes follow the featured vegetable, fruit, or herb (pumpkin, carrots, spinach, strawberries, to name a few) and encourage children to take ownership of healthy food choices.

IWAI, Melissa. Soup Day. illus. by author. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9004-8.
PreS-Gr 2–Healthy habits abound in this simple story about a girl and her mother making soup on a snowy winter day. They walk to the market, choose the freshest vegetables, chop the ingredients together, and stay active as the pot simmers. Charming collage illustrations capture the warmth while a Snowy Day Vegetable Soup recipe provides inspiration.

SAYRE, April Pulley. Go, Go, Grapes!: A Fruit Chant. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-44-243390-8.
––––. Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2141-7.
ea vol: photos by author. S & S/Beach Lane.
PreS-Gr 1–The infectiously joyful cadence of the chants and the enticingly photographed fruits and vegetables guarantee bouncing and clapping along with probable demands for repeated readings (and possibly trips to the nearest farmer’s market). While featuring the ubiquitous (carrots, corn, apples), Sayre’s paeans to produce also capture the deliciously unfamiliar (kohlrabi, rambutan, mangosteen), and might be the first step to children’s healthy eating.

Middle School & Up

GOLD, Rozanne. Eat Fresh Food: Awesome Recipes for Teen Chefs. photos by Phil Mansfield. Bloomsbury. 2009. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-445-0.
Gr 6 Up–Put together with help from a nutritionist and a group of sous-chefs/tasters aged nine to nineteen, there’s a healthy recipe for every meal or snack craving. Full-color photos capture the brightness of the ripe fruit and vegetables as well as the young chefs in action, fueling readers’ motivation to hit the grocery store, farmer’s market,
and kitchen.

HIDALGO-ROBERT, Alberto. Fat No More: A Teenager’s Victory Over Obesity. Piñata. 2012. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55-885745-2.
Gr 8 Up–Somewhat unpolished writing doesn’t detract from the author’s honest portrayal of his obsession with food at a young age, his loving but enabling parents, his frustration with diets, and the serious health scare that spurred changes in his lifestyle and eating habits. Pictures show a stunning transformation accomplished through lots of hard work. Includes recipes.

STERN, Sam. Get Cooking. Candlewick. 2009. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3926-6.
Gr 8 Up–Written with the easygoing authority of one teen speaking to another, the youthful British chef’s third book offers a surefire way to get young adults cooking. Though primarily about having fun cooking for or with friends, there are healthy quips thrown in with the approximately 100 recipes.

Joanna K. Fabicon is a Children’s Librarian at Los Angeles Public Library, CA.

If the pundits and talking heads are to be believed, politics in America is dirty business. Lobbying, partisanship, pork-barrel spending, and mudslinging make up no small part of it. There is much more to politics, though. Beneath the necrotic layers of scandal and corruption are the birth-bright essentials of policy, governance, civics, and people. This collection of books, websites, and films attests to that with content, style, and format that are ideal for children and teens.

Using poetry, humor, history, science, fact, and fancy, these titles engage, enlighten, entertain, and inspire. In addition, new and archival photographs and stylistically diverse original paintings and drawings interpret and complement the texts with flair and vitality. Among these materials, a long-dead president enjoys a new sort of life thanks to a committed and creative group of scientists and historians; a camping trip inspires new laws, and a set of dusty paper dolls rekindles memories of White House life long ago. In short, politics is fleshed out in details that make it human and personal.

Presidents Are People Too

CALKHOVEN, Laurie. I Grew Up to Be President. illus. by Rebecca Zomchek. Scholastic. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-33152-4.
K-Gr 5–In this Washington-to-Obama collective biography, Calkhoven provides readers with succinct, cheerful accounts of presidential lives. The vital stats are here as well as facts that are strange, humorous, and, most of all, humanizing. Zomchek’s stylish presentation juxtaposes presidential portraits with clever drawings of the presidents as boys. Informative and engaging.

JURMAIN, Suzanne Tripp. Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud. illus. by Larry Day. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47903-1.
Gr 2-5–“Different as pickles and ice cream,” Adams and Jefferson were America’s original odd couple. Keeping the tone light, Jurmain explains why these close friends became enemies over the Constitution. Finely detailed watercolor illustrations are historically accurate with a little fun thrown in. 99 percent history + 1 percent whimsy = 100 percent awesomeness. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

KALMAN, Maira. Looking at Lincoln. illus. by author. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24039-3.
Gr 2-5–Bold, emotionally resonant paintings flesh out the bare-bones account of Lincoln’s life in this unusual and lovely homage. Kalman pairs facts with kindly guesses about Lincoln’s thoughts on nicknames, dessert, and birthday presents. Somber reflections on war, slavery, and death are also included.

KATZ, Susan. The President’s Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems about the Presidents. illus. by Robert Neubecker. Clarion. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-18221-6; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-67783-5.
Gr 1-4–All 43 commanders-in-chief receive an individual poetic dousing in this lighthearted romp through our leaders’ foibles, gaffes, embarrassments, and other unusual biographical details. Colorful, kinetic illustrations complement the spunky collection, and a brief explanatory note is appended to each poem. A fun supplement or lead-in to presidential biographies.

KERLEY, Barbara. Those Rebels, John and Tom. illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-22268-6.
Gr 2-5–This playful account shows how Adams’s and Jefferson’s opposing temperaments and talents were the winning combination to spur a recalcitrant congress into action and an ornery king into acquiescence. The illustrator toys with proportion and realism, filling the book with sight gags that interpret the text with wit and flair.

KRULL, Kathleen & Paul Brewer. Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country). illus. by Stacy Innerst. Harcourt. 2010. RTE. $17.ISBN 978-0-15-206639-0; ebook $17. ISBN 978-0-54-777019-2.
Gr 2-4–Lincoln faced enormous challenges personally and politically. In this readable biography, the authors complement key events with quips that demonstrate his keen sense of humor and love of language. Exaggerated acrylic illustrations match the folksy tone, while thick, slightly uneven brushstrokes add a timeworn appearance.

MCCLAFFERTY, Carla Killough. The Many Faces of George Washington: Remaking a Presidential Icon. Carolrhoda. 2011. RTE $20.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5608-0; ebook $15.71. ISBN 978-0-7613-7157-1.
Gr 6 Up–Blending science and history, McClafferty describes how professionals from several fields created three life-size models of Washington as he looked when he was a surveyor (age 19), an army general (age 45), and U.S. President (age 57). Dozens of color photographs document the process. Corresponding facts about Washington’s life flesh out the illuminating narrative.

MCNAMARA, Margaret. George Washington’s Birthday: A Mostly True Tale. illus. by Barry Blitt. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks, 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84499-7; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94458-1.
Gr 1-4–Young George wakes up on the morning of his seventh birthday expecting but receiving no special notice from his family. As the tall tale plays out, McNamara includes elegantly trimmed sidebars with information confirming or supplanting events presented in the story. The watercolor illustrations, a blend of whimsy and realism, provide a perfect balance.

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK AND LITERACY ALLIANCE. Our White House: Looking in, Looking Out. illus. Candlewick. 2008. RTE $29.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2067-7; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4609-7.
Gr 3-8–More than 100 children’s and YA authors and illustrators add their voices to those of presidents and First Ladies to illuminate the history of the White House, past and present. Through poems, stories, memoirs, conversations, and colorful full-page illustrations, everyday life and special occasions are made vivid and compelling.

RHATIGAN, Joe. White House Kids: The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the Presidents’ Children. illus. by Jay Shinn. Charlesbridge. 2012. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-936140-80-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-472-8.
Gr 4-5–Iconic red, white, and blue graphics—archival photos and colorful original drawings—combine with anecdotes that recount life in the spotlight, the White House as a playground, and the pros and cons of growing up there. Impeccably researched, informative, and fun.

SMITH, Lane. John, Paul, George, & Ben. illus. by author. Hyperion. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7868-4893-5.
Gr 2-5–Smith spins a few outlandish backstories for some of America’s founding fathers. Why was Paul Revere so good at yelling? What did Ben Franklin’s friends think of his pithy sayings? Pen-and-ink drawings combine with collage to create appropriately zany illustrations. DVD and audio version available from Weston Woods.

TOWNSEND, Michael. Where Do Presidents Come From? And Other Presidential Stuff of Super Great Importance. Dial. Sept. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-803-73748-8.
Gr 2-5–Vibrant cartoons and a steady stream of visual and verbal jokes enliven the text in this graphic novel that describes the origin of the American presidency, how the president is elected, what the job entails, the function of the White House, and life for the men once their terms are up.

WALTON, Rick. Mr. President Goes to School. illus. by Brad Sneed. Peachtree. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-538-6.
K-Gr 3–Feeling beleaguered, Mr. President sneaks into his old kindergarten teacher’s class for a break where he plays, sings, and enjoys a snack of milk and cookies. Could these rediscovered joys be the key to negotiating a meeting between feuding world leaders? Colorful pencil and watercolor illustrations are fittingly buoyant.

You Don’t Have to Be President to Get Involved

ARETHA, David. No Compromise: The Story of Harvey Milk. Morgan Reynolds. 2009. PLB $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-129-2.
Gr 7 Up–Concise and unbiased, this biography describes how Milk’s early discomfiture about his homosexuality shaped his ultimate leadership in civil rights and politics. Photos, mostly black-and-white, complement the text as they show Milk’s transformation from an awkward kid to an influential and controversial activist and politician.

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX, the Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America. S & S/Atheneum. 2005. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-689-85957-1.
Gr 7 Up–A lively history recounts the fight for and subsequent passage of the law that made it officially okay for girls to play organized sports. Well-researched and engaging, this account demonstrates what can happen when enough people work together to incite political and social change, even if it means plowing under centuries of entrenched status quo. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

BRUEL, Nick. Bad Kitty for President. illus. by author. Roaring Book. 2012. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-669-5; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-2500-101-6-2.
Gr 2-4–Bad Kitty is running for president of the Neighborhood Cat Club. It’s up to the narrator to educate the candidate about primaries, endorsements, campaigning, ethics, ads, debates, and voting. Bruel squeezes in lots of sound facts as Bad Kitty turns every election expectation on its head, while his integral black-and-white drawings are wittily expressive.

CLARK, Catherine. How Not to Run for President. Egmont USA. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-101-3; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-302-4.
Gr 5-8–When a 12-year-old kid from Ohio saves the life of a presidential candidate, he finds himself swept up in a political blitz of campaigning and TV appearances. Events take an even more interesting turn when Aaron is asked to run as vice president. An entertaining and plausible read about national and local politics from a child’s point of view.

DIPUCCHIO, Kelly. Grace for President. illus. by LeUyen Pham. Hyperion. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7868-3919-3.
Gr 2-5–When eager Grace Campbell vies with super-student Thomas Cobb for class president, the children learn how the electoral college works. While Thomas does little during the campaign, Grace embarks on a school-wide tour winning over voters with her can-do attitude and kindness. Full-color, animated illustrations add polish and pep.

FITZGERALD, Dawn. Soccer Chick Rules. Roaring Brook. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-596-43137-9; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-37662-8.
Gr 5-8–Middle-school student Tess is passionate about soccer. When budget cuts threaten her school’s sports program, she spearheads a movement to encourage voters to support a levy that would provide funding. Adolescent high jinks, sibling antagonism, and soccer details will resonate with young readers, while political activism adds an ennobling, but never preachy, dimension.

FRITZ, Jean. Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider. illus. by Ian Schoenherr. Putnam. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25546-5; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-142-41986-1; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-101-47535-5.
Gr 5-9–Ambitious and intelligent, Hamilton lived under a cloud of suspicion due in large part to his irregular, turbulent youth. In this riveting biography, details of his military and political prowess blend with descriptions of colonial culture. Occasional, visually engaging black-and-white images enhance the text.

LUBLIN, Nancy, Vanessa Martir & Julia Steers. Do Something! A Handbook for Young Activists. Workman. 2010. ebook $13.95. ISBN 978-0-761-15747-2.
Gr 9 Up–Young readers are encouraged to pick a passion and act on it. Suggested causes include poverty, disaster relief, and health. Project ideas, checklists, and advice help teens figure out their areas of interest and strengths; fill-in-the-blanks should not deter purchase. Activism now is the front door to politics (and policy change) later on.

MALASPINA, Ann. Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President. illus. by Steve James. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3188-4.
Gr 2-5–“Outrageous. Unbelievable. True.” is the refrain in this stunning picture book about the uproar caused when Susan B. Anthony registered to vote and then actually voted. Word and image evoke the frisson of witnessing absurd injustice in a society that is veiled in modernity and culture. Incisive storytelling and luminous oil paintings make for a memorable, important read.

SMITH, Lane. Madam President. illus. by author. Hyperion. 2008. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0846-7.
Gr 2-5–An ambitious little girl imagines what it would be like to be president of the United States. Her imperfect, egotistical understanding of presidential privilege is at once lightly educational and hilarious. Stylized collage illustrations offer detailed insight into the girl’s life and imagination. Audio version available from Weston Woods.

WINSTON, Sherri. President of the Whole Fifth Grade. Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-11432-5; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-316-11433-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12298-6.
Gr 3-5–Bright and friendly Brianna is a shoo-in for the office of president of the fifth grade until self-assured Jasmine moves to town. When she tries to undermine Brianna, Brianna must decide whether or not to respond in kind. The message is clear but not preachy. A light look at elementary-school shenanigans and politics.

WONG, Janet. Declaration of Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year. CreateSpace. 2012. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-468-19191-2.
Gr 6 Up–These 20 poems cover an election year from the viewpoint of a teen who is not old enough to vote. The lean, incisive verses explore tolerance, free speech, campaign ads, winning and losing, equality, and more. The authentic voice and evocative insight make this collection a great choice for readers’ theater.

Politics in Action

BURGAN, Michael. Political Parties. illus. by Charles Barnett III. (Cartoon Nation Series). Capstone. 2008. PLB $29.99. ISBN 978-1-4296-1334-7; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-4296-1782-6.
Gr 2-5–Tongue ensconced firmly in cheek, this book explains the formation and evolution of the major political parties in America. Dynamic comic-book art enlivens descriptions of the spoils system, the electoral college, party presses, and much more. Lively, funny, and accurate.

CLANTON, Ben. Vote for Me! illus. by author. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-822-5.
K-Gr 2–Expressive line drawings and eye-catching red, white, and blue colors are the heart of this story. Elephant and Donkey (no actual mention of Republicans or Democrats) both want to win the election. Initially they woo readers with over-the-top compliments but descend quickly into juvenile mudslinging: “Booger Breath!” “Smellypants!” A surprise ending is just and satisfying.

FORD, Lynne E. Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics. (Library of American History Series). Facts On File. 2008. PLB $85. ISBN 978-0-8160-5491-6.
Gr 9 Up–More than 500 thorough, readable accounts introduce the women and issues that have shaped political life in America. Suffrage, law, health, and education are all discused in this one-volume wonder. Biographical sketches cover a wide range of women, from First Ladies to political activists to Supreme Court justices. Alphabetically arranged and easy to use.

HENNESSEY, Jonathan. The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation. illus. by Aaron McConnell. Farrar. 2008. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-0-809-09470-7.
Gr 5 Up–Hennessey explains each article and amendment in laypeople’s terms. The shadowy, surreal art depicts key moments in Constitutional history (trial of the Scottsboro boys, the Seneca Falls convention, etc.) and gives emotional weight to the straightforward analysis. Readers will want to have a copy of the full text of the Constitution handy.

HUDSON, David L. The Handy President’s Answer Book. 2nd. ed. (The Handy Answer Book Series). Visible Ink. 2011. pap. $21.95. ISBN 978-1-578-59317-0; ebook $18.95. ISBN 978-1-578-59360-6.
Gr 7 Up–Copious information is presented in a succinct question-and-answer format. Each president’s 7- to 10-page entry covers early life and family, career and political offices, administration and post presidency. A section on disputes and anomalies and another on presidential trivia round out this solid reference.

JULES, Jacqueline. Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation. illus. by Jef Czekaj. Charlesbridge. 2009. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-189-9; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-190-5.
Gr 2-5–Brimming with colorful, cartoon illustrations and simple text, this book uses the ubiquitous school play to describe the development of the U.S. Constitution. In a lighthearted but factual skit, kids act out the Convention’s high-stakes bid to govern 13 recalcitrant states. Historically sound, easy to understand, and fun.

MORRIS-LIPPMAN, Arlene. Presidential Races: Campaigning for the White House. (People’s History Series). Twenty-First Century. 2012. PLB $33.26. ISBN 978-0-7613-7395-7.
Gr 6-8–A revision of Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States (2008), this title ushers readers through the most dramatic, influential, and pivotal elections. Political cartoons and photos complement the text. The most substantive revision is the inclusion of the race between McCain and Obama. That addition alone warrants purchase.

ROSENSTOCK, Barb. The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks. illus. by Mordecai Gerstein. Dial. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3710-5.
Gr 1-4–Brimming with fun and fact, this book recounts a 1903 camping trip in which Roosevelt asked Muir to convince him that conservation mattered. Soon after the trip, Roosevelt enacted legislation that marked the nascency of America’s national park system. Ink and watercolor illustrations, with a studied messiness, match the folksy tone of the text.

SCHANZER, Rosalyn. George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides. illus. by author. National Geographic. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7922-7349-3; PLB $25.90. ISBN 978-0-7922-6999-1; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0042-4.
Gr 4-8–To George Washington, King George III was a tyrant. To King George III, George Washington was a traitor. Gleaning from hundreds of sources to flesh out text and illustrations, Schanzer presents a vivid example of how there are two sides to every story—a fact that is easy to overlook in politics. Well told and gorgeously illustrated.

TROY, Gil, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. & Fred L. Israel, eds. 3 vols. History of American Presidential Elections, 1789-2008. 4th ed. Facts On File. 2011. PLB $225. ISBN 978-0-8160-8220-9.
Gr 10 Up–Accurate, thorough, and organized, this three-volume set provides overview, analysis, and a time line for every presidential election in America. Included are candidates, results, campaign methods, key issues and events, legacy of campaign, and more. Designed for the layperson with a deep interest in presidential politics, this is a first-rate reference.

Jennifer S. Prince is a Youth Services Librarian at Buncombe County Public Libraries, Asheville, NC.

Educators will find much inspiration here for classroom explorations, as these books are ideal for introducing the Greek pantheon, launching discussions of literary genres, and forging links to other areas of the curriculum, including history, culture, and art. Contrast different authors’ takes on these well-known characters and tales, and talk about how a book’s format, illustrations, and narrative tone affect each interpretation. Take a pop-culture approach and make comparisons between today’s comic-book-based superheroes and their just-as-amazing ancient antecedents and help your students ascertain why hero tales remain storytelling staples.

Share these books with youngsters and tempt them into a world of wonders that will amuse, amaze, entertain, and inform.

Picture Books

BYRD, Robert. The Hero and the Minotaur: The Fantastic Adventures of Theseus. illus. by author. Dutton. 2005. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47391-6.
Gr 3-6—Masterfully intertwining several myths, Byrd presents a drum-tight recounting of the quick-witted Theseus’s exploits as he journeys to meet his royal father, routs a trio of giant-size rogues, and vows to vanquish the dreaded “half-man, half-bull” monster. A tale of triumph and tragedy, splendidly illustrated with sun-drenched paintings steeped in classical motifs.

CLAYTON, Sally Pomme. Persephone. illus. by Virginia Lee. Eerdmans. 2009. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-8028-5349-3.
Gr 3-6—When Persephone is “plucked” from a flower-filled field by Hades and carried off to the Underworld, a distraught Demeter mourns for her daughter, and the very Earth feels the effects. Imagery and detail in the lyrical language and terracotta-toned paintings eloquently convey this beguiling tale’s deep-felt emotion and enduring circle-of-life themes.

HARRIS, John. Strong Stuff: Herakles and His Labors. illus. by Gary Baseman. Getty. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-892-36784-9. LC 2004007904.
Gr 2-6—From vanquishing the Nemean Lion to rounding up the Golden Apples, this exuberant picture book recounts Herakles’s “super-difficult jobs” with campy humor and visual élan. Depicting a brawny hero sporting a loincloth, lace-up sandals, and perpetual five-o’clock shadow, Baseman’s revved-with-colors cartoon artwork is a perfect fit for Harris’s tongue-in-cheek text.

KARAS, G. Brian. Young Zeus. illus by author. Scholastic. 2008. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-439-72806-5. LC 2009010148.
Gr 2-6—In this spirited imagining of the all-powerful god’s early days, Zeus leaves behind an idyllic boyhood to defeat his fearsome father, release his swallowed-down siblings, conquer the Titans, and assume his place as “boss” of Mount Olympus. This accessible tale is illustrated with dynamic earth-toned artwork and infused with a playful childlike perspective. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

O’MALLEY, Kevin. Mount Olympus Basketball. illus. by author. Walker. 2003. RTE $16.85. ISBN 978-0-802-78845-0; pap $6.95. ISBN 978-0-802-77728-7.
Gr 2-6—The Gods (including a smugly smiling Zeus and a rough-and-tumble Athena) take on the Mortals (captained by a hearty Hercules) in a “Mediterranean meltdown” on the court. Color-saturated cartoon artwork depicts the hilarious slam-dunking, elbows-flying action while two sportscasters provide the droll play-by-play—along with fun-to-follow-up-on allusions to many well-known myths.

Collected Tales

KIMMEL, Eric A. The McElderry Book of Greek Myths. illus. by Pep Montserrat. S & S/McElderry. 2008. RTE $21.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-1534-8.
K-Gr 5—From “Prometheus” to “Perseus and Medusa,” Kimmel presents 12 favorite legends, streamlining events into selections concise enough to share with a class and enticing enough to whet appetites for more. Blending ancient motifs and patterns with modern-looking textures and hues, the stylized paintings grandly depict characters both mortal and divine.

LUNGE-LARSEN, Lise. Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology. illus. by Gareth Hinds. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-15229-5.
Gr 3-7—Mixing mythology and etymology, Lunge-Larsen introduces 17 “ancient words” derived from classical characters. From “Achilles’ Heel” to “Victory,” the terms and their tales are presented in vividly written, handsomely illustrated entries. Ideal for classroom sharing, this unique offering can launch discussion about the power of story and its influence on modern-day language.

NAPOLI, Donna Jo. Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters. illus. by Christina Balit. National Geographic. 2011. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0844-4; PLB $33.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0845-1.
Gr 5 Up—Wise, witty, worldly, and thoroughly entrancing, this collection presents 25 tales showcasing the Greek pantheon’s major players. At once eloquent and elemental, poetic and contemporary, these deftly written selections gloriously regale the characters’ legendary adventures while vivifying them with personality. Balit’s stunning paintings feature luminous colors, rich patterns, and star-infused motifs.

RYLANT, Cynthia. The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greek Myths, Retold. illus. by Carson Ellis. Harcourt. 2009. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-15-206184-5.
Gr 6-9—Writing with an eye toward the grand spectrum of the human experience, Rylant introduces readers to Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche. Themes of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and courage are presented with quiet wisdom, honest emotion, and a touch of romance. Ellis’s sophisticated, soft-edged illustrations echo the text’s intimate tone. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

TOWNSEND, Michael. Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders. illus. by author. Dial. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3308-4; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-1011-9557-4.
Gr 3-8—Townsend reels out comic-book-style renditions of nine legends including “Pygmalion and His Rocky Relationship,” “Arachne Gets a Big Head,” and “The Short Flight of Icarus,” eye-poppingly illustrated with neon-bright cartoons. Abounding with zany antics, clever reinterpretations of familiar tropes, and 21st-century tweaks, these riotous retellings will wow readers while conveying the essence of the originals.

TURNBULL, Ann. Greek Myths. illus. by Sarah Young. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-763-65111-4.
Gr 4-8—Divided into three thematic sections, Turnbull’s articulate retellings of 16 tales flow lyrically from one to the next, helping readers to make connections (e.g., “The Minotaur” is followed by “Ariadne on Naxos”). Young’s opulent mixed-media artwork balances tantalizing textures with formal-looking figures to add detail and enhance the mood of majesty and wonder. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

WILLIAMS, Marcia. Greek Myths for Young Children. illus. by author. Candlewick. 1992. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-564-02115-1; pap $8.99. ISBN 978-0-763-65384-2.
Gr 1-6—Eight tales featuring non-divine protagonists (Pandora, Orpheus, etc.) are retold in color-saturated kid-pleasing comic strips. Williams doesn’t shy away from the violence inherent in these stories, but her knack for interjecting bawdy visual humor or an offbeat dialogue-balloon aside maintains a buoyant tone. The intricate artwork and pithy narratives demand repeated readings and guarantee wide appeal.

Graphic Novels

FORD, Christopher. Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle. Bk. 1. illus. by author. Philomel. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25426-0.
Gr 5-9—Banished from Sticatha by an evil witch, “far-wandering” Zozimos embarks on a voyage home filled with heroic battles, manic monsters, and heaps of irreverent humor. Ford’s lithe-lined stick-figure characters run amok in a tale that incorporates a mishmash of myths, a delightfully meandering plot, and a tempting taste of the real McCoy.

HINDS, Gareth. The Odyssey. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4266-2; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4268-6.
Gr 7 Up—Heroism, hubris, and heady emotion boil to the surface in this masterful retelling of Homer’s epic poem. Deftly detailed and regally paced, Hinds’s lyrical language and lavish watercolor artwork present the heart-pounding high points of Odysseus’s trial-and-tribulation-filled journey while allowing readers to soak up the tale’s subtleties and universal themes. Gritty, grand, and just right for teens.

MUCCI, Tim, adapt. The Odyssey. Bk. 3. illus. by Ben Caldwell & Rick Lacy. (All-Actions Classics Series). Sterling. 2010. pap $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4027-3155-6.
Gr 6 Up—Concise and briskly paced, this dynamic comic-book version streamlines Homer’s plot and zooms in on the all-out monster-trouncing, enchantress-encountering, death-defying action. The exploits of the square-jawed Odysseus are resplendent in bold lines and jewel tones while the fickle gods and goddesses shimmer in translucent hues. A reader-grabbing intro to the epic.

O’CONNOR , George . Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess. Bk. 2. 2010. ISBN 978-1-59643-649-7; ISBN 978-1-59643-432-5.
— Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory. Bk. 3. 2011. ISBN 978-1-59643-724-1; ISBN 978-1-59643-433-2.
— Zeus: King of the Gods. Bk. 1. 2010. ISBN 978-1-59643-625-1; ISBN 978-1-56943-431-8.
ea. vol: illus. by author. (Olympians Series). First Second. Tr $16.99; pap. $9.99.
Gr 5 Up—These riveting graphic novels balance carefully researched retellings with strong characterizations, satisfying humor, and superhero-style action. Stunning artwork and compelling scripts relate five thrilling stories about the headstrong Athena; provide fresh perspective on Hera and her role in the fraught-with-trials tale of Heracles; and introduce world-shaking Zeus, from sheltered boyhood to Titan-toppling mêlées to ascendance to the throne.

STORRIE, Paul D. Perseus: The Hunt for Medusa’s Head. illus. by Thomas Yeates. (Graphic Myths and Legends Series). Graphic Universe/Lerner. 2008. PLB $27.93. ISBN 978-0-822-57528-3; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-580-13888-8.
Gr 4-8—Beginning with a visit from Athena, who bestows upon the troubled hero magical gifts and a sense of hope for completing his “terrible task,” this gripping graphic novel relates Perseus’s ancestry and his spine-tingling adventures via concise dialogue and packed-with-kapow artwork. Check out other entries in the series for first-rate renditions sure to captivate comics fans.

Novels

BARRETT, Tracy. King of Ithaka. Holt. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8969-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-4769-5. LC 2009050770.
Gr 8 Up—Accompanied by his two best friends, a centaur and a runaway girl, 16-year-old Telemachos goes in search of his long-missing father, a dangerous quest that involves a puzzling prophecy, monsters and miscreants, and eye-opening revelations about himself and others. This coming-of-age odyssey abounds with exciting escapades, tangible details of ancient life, and hard-won insights.

COLLINS, Ross. Medusa Jones. illus. by author. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2008. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-90100-0. LC 2007017199.
Gr 3-5—Snake-haired Medusa and her best buddies—a centaur and a minotaur—are constantly picked on by Acropolis Academy’s popular crowd, but when disaster strikes during a school trip, the “freaks” prove that they are truly heroes. This fast-reading romp features sprightly sketches, snicker-inducing humor, and timeless issues of self-image and bullying.

COONEY, Caroline B. Goddess of Yesterday: A Tale of Troy. Delacorte. 2002. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-385-72945-1; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90051-5; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73865-1; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-307-48549-6.
Gr 5-8—After Siphnos is sacked by pirates, 12-year-old Anaxandra takes on the identity of Callisto, the princess for whom she had served as companion, and soon finds herself before a ruthless Helen as the tragic events of the Trojan War unfold. Cooney places a believably created fictional character in the heart of a well-known tale. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

FRIESNER, Esther. Nobody’s Princess. (Princesses of Myth Series). Random. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87528-1; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97528-8; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87529-8; ebook $3.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84984-8.
Gr 6-9—Harking back to the girlhood of Helen of Troy, Friesner introduces a tomboyish teen more interested in warrior training than feminine pastimes. The protagonist’s adventure puts her alongside famed heroes while winning over readers with her free-spirited nature. The page-turning escapades continue in Nobody’s Prize (2008) as a disguised Helen joins the quest for the Golden Fleece.

HALAM, Ann. Snakehead. Random/Wendy Lamb. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84108-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94108-5; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84109-5; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89533-3.
Gr 8 Up—Though set in ancient times, this tale has modern sensibilities, believably delineated characters, and an enchanting romance as Perseus, accompanied by his beloved Andromeda, embarks on a quest to slay Medusa. Themes of destiny, self-sacrifice, and remaining true to one’s beliefs are skillfully interwoven into this adventure.

HENNESY, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Jealous. (Mythic Misadventures Series). Bloomsbury. 2008. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-59990-196-1; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-291-3. LC 2007023975.
Gr 5-8—When the box that Pandy has brought to Athena Maiden Middle School for her annual project accidently opens, releasing seven great plagues, a furious Zeus insists that she round them up. Helped by her two BFFs, she sets out to save the world and find her place in it. Hennesy reinterprets the myth with humor and present-day panache. The quest continues in Pandora Gets Vain (2008), Pandora Gets Lazy (2009), and Pandora Gets Heart (2010).

HOLUB, Joan & Suzanne Williams. Athena the Brain. Bk. 1. ISBN 978-1-4169-8271-5; ISBN 978-1-4169-9912-6. LC 2009019170.
————. Persephone the Phony. Bk. 2. ISBN 978-1-4169-8272-2; ISBN 978-1-4169-9913-3. LC 2009019176.
ea. vol: (Goddess Girls Series). S & S/Aladdin. 2010. pap. $5.99; ebook $5.99.
Gr 3-6—Mythology meets middle-school angst as preteen “goddess girls” navigate the ups and downs of social life at Mount Olympus Academy. New student Athena can’t wait to rise to fresh challenges but must first deal with the ultimate mean-girl, Medusa; all-too-agreeable Persephone finds herself “going along to get along” until she meets school bad boy Hades. Contemporary concerns are cleverly interwoven into the Greek pantheon in these frothy, funny fantasies.

MCCAUGHREAN, Geraldine, retel. Hercules. (Heroes Series). Cricket. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-812-62737-4.
Gr 5-9—The action launches with a memorable moment—baby Hercules effortlessly dispatching two deadly snakes in his cradle—and never slows down as the ill-fated hero atones for an impetuous act by attempting 12 seemingly impossible tasks. Starring a multidimensional protagonist, this spellbinding novelization zings with vividly delineated daredevil deeds and lyrical language. Steer fans toward the author’s equally scintillating Odysseus (2004), Perseus (2005), and Theseus (2005). Audio version available from Full Cast Audio.

OSBORNE, Mary Pope. Tales from the Odyssey: Part One. ISBN 978-1-423-12864-9.
____. Tales from the Odyssey: Part Two. ISBN 978-1-423-12610-2.
ea. vol: illus. by Troy Howell. Hyperion. 2010. pap. $5.99.
Gr 3-6—Colorfully adorned with reader-grabbing covers, these two volumes collect all six installments of Osborne’s thrilling chapter-book series about this lauded-by-Homer hero and his far-flung adventures. Straight-arrow plotting, simply phrased yet elegantly crafted language, and supercharged suspense make for a first-rate read-aloud or read-alone introduction to the epic.

SPINNER, Stephanie. Quiver. Knopf. 2002. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-375-81489-1; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-91489-8; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-440-23819-5; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-0-307-43365-7.
Gr 7-10—Though 16-year-old Atalanta, the fastest mortal alive, has made a vow of chastity, her father insists that she marry. She proposes a contest: she will wed the man who can outrun her in a race, with defeat meaning death to the challenger, but events—and emotions—quickly spin out of control. Recommend the author’s Quicksilver(Knopf, 2005) for an equally engrossing—and exhilarating—look through Hermes’s eyes.

WHITMAN, Emily. Radiant Darkness. Greenwillow. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-172449-7; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-178035-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185831-4. LC 2008029148.
Gr 9 Up—Persephone describes her confining life with her overbearing mother, her growing passion for mysterious and charismatic Hades, and a difficult choice that reverberates far beyond her own existence. A romantic, compelling, and sensual coming-of-age story.

Guidebooks

BRYANT, Megan E. Oh My Gods!: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Gods of Mythology. ISBN 978-1-60631-026-7; ISBN 978-1-60631-058-8. LC 2009017169.
____. She’s All That!: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Godesses of Mythology. ISBN 978-1-60631-027-4; ISBN 978-1-60631-059-5. LC 2009017168.
KELLY, Sophia. What a Beast!: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Monsters and Mutants of Mythology. ISBN 978-1-60631-028-1; ISBN 978-1-60631-028-3.
OTFINOSKI, Steven. All in the Family: A Look-It-Up Guide to the In-laws, Outlaws, and Offspring of Mythology. ISBN 978-1-60631-025-0; ISBN 978-1-60631-057-1. LC 2009020999.
ea. vol: (Mythlopedia Series). Watts. 2009. PLB $39.; pap. $13.95.
Gr 5-9—These A-to-Z guides to the denizens of Mount Olympus deftly sum up each figure’s origins, career highlights, and associated myths. Humorous monologues, full-color reproductions of artworks (often amusingly decorated with modern-day bling), and cheeky cartoons add to the lighthearted tone.

CURLEE, Lynn. Mythological Creatures: A Classical Bestiary. illus. by author. S & S/Atheneum. 2008. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-1453-2. LC 2006016980.
Gr 3-8—Curlee introduces an array of strange beings and fearsome beasts, including Polyphemus, the Harpies, and the Chimera. Handsome portraits are paired with text that gracefully touches on the pertinent myths, fueling further reading.

SMITH, Charles R. The Mighty 12: Superheroes of Greek Myth. illus. by P. Craig Russell. Little, Brown. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-01043-6
Gr 5-8—Comic-book artwork and vigorous rap-style rhymes highlight each Olympian’s attributes and realm of power. The text regales aspects both heroic and terrifying as a furious Poseidon crumbles buildings and a jealous Hera proves “that the goddess supreme/can be the coldhearted/queen of mean.” Punch-packing spreads portray appropriately idealized immortals and nasty-looking creatures.

On the Web

For Teachers:

Windows to the Universe: Mythology. www.windows2universe.org/mythology/mythology.html. National Earth Science Teachers Association. (Accessed 9/19/11).
Emphasizing “the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience,” this site introduces ancient deities and myths and their association with aspects of the Earth, sky, and physical world (constellations, planets, etc.). The text is written for three reading levels (changed via tab) and packed with artworks, star charts, maps, and more.

For Students:

Encyclopedia Mythica: Greek Mythology. pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek. Encyclopedia Mythica. (Accessed 9/19/11).
Gr 6 Up—Clearly written, signed articles introduce the gods, heroes, and monsters of Greek mythology. A page listing deities (and their Roman counterparts) makes for easy searching, and links within the essays allow readers to explore relationships and related tales. A solid resource for reports.

Hercules: Greece’s Greatest Hero. www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles. Perseus Project/Tufts University. (Accessed 9/19/11).
Gr 3 Up—From his labors to his loves, this museum-exhibit-style site introduces the life and times of Hercules. Dynamic and delightfully detailed, the content is illustrated with vibrant images painted on ancient Greek vases, photos of archaeological sites, maps, and quotes from classical texts.

Winged Sandals. www.abc.net.au/arts/wingedsandals/default_lowband.htm. ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and the University of Melbourne. (Accessed 9/19/11).
Gr 1-6—Lively, easy to navigate, and informative, this inviting site includes animated versions of stories, myth-themed online games, craft projects, and historical tidbits. An accessible “Who’s Who” of gods, mortals, and monsters offers quick bios, family trees, descriptions of major events, and audio pronunciations.