JLG’s On the Radar: Biographies for Upper Elementary Students

Deborah B. Ford — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:00:15 +0000

Sometimes children who don’t fit in become adults who change the world. A young boy rarely speaks until he goes to school and then begins to ask endless questions. His questions lead to some of the biggest discoveries of our lifetime. An artist is wounded during his service in the Great War, yet his determination to overcome his handicap allows him to paint once again. He becomes a well-known, self-taught folk artist. A young girl who didn’t have access to the library grows up to help create ones just for children. The following new biographies of these remarkable Americans are perfect for providing inspiration to upper elementary students.

BERNE, Jennifer. On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein. illus. by Vladimir Radunsky. Chronicle. 2013. ISBN 9780811872355. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

As a child, Albert Einstein never had much to say until the day his father gave him a compass. “Suddenly he knew there were mysteries in the world―hidden and silent, unknown and unseen.” His desire to know consumed him. Teachers told him he would amount to nothing if he continued to disrupt the class with his endless questions. He would spend the rest of his life looking for answers―”wondering, imagining, figuring, and thinking.” His discoveries unlocked many puzzles of the universe, while leaving future scientists with questions that they can solve. Radunsky’s loose illustrations are as charming as Einstein himself.

BRYANT, Jen. A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin. illus. by Melissa Sweet. Knopf. 2013. ISBN 9780375967122. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Horace had big hands, but his grandma told him, “the biggest part of you is inside, where no one can see.” He used those hands to help his family―sorting laundry, running errands for his mom, and gathering wood for the stove. When he had time, he loved to draw. At school, if a picture came into his mind, he would tell his “heart to go ahead.” His classmates loved his pictures, but some of his teachers did not. In eighth grade, Horace had to quit his studies because his family needed him to work. Horace drew for the other workers. When the opportunity to fight for his country arose, Horace enlisted. Even in the trenches of combat, he continued to draw until the day a bullet wounded his shoulder. He couldn’t lift his arm. The pictures kept coming to his mind, but how could he paint them now? Read how Pippin became a world-renowned folk artist despite many obstacles.

PINBOROUGH, Jan. Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children. illus. by Debby Atwell. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. ISBN 9780547471051. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

When Anne was a little girl in the early 1870s, children weren’t allowed to go to libraries. Librarians thought children would lose or ruin the books. Anne thought otherwise, so she grew up to be a librarian. She got her first job at Pratt Free Library, where children could check out books and have stories read to them, just as her father read to her. News about the children’s library spread until she became the head of children’s sections in all thirty-six branches of the New York Public Library. She visited all of the branches, offering ideas to create better spaces for the young readers. Then, plans were announced to build the biggest and best library of all―right in the middle of New York City. How could she make it a wonderful space for children? Pinborough’s picture book biography is the inspiring narrative of a strong woman whose passion for children’s library services influenced libraries across the country.

For strategies about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Elementary Readers: New Offerings from Favorite Authors

SLJ — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:00:36 +0000

For our elementary readers, finding a favorite author is like finding an old friend. They welcome a familiar writing or illustration style. Not having to learn new characters or settings lets struggling students focus on the plot. This fall’s release of new books promises to be a happy reunion for kids in grades two to six.

BISHOP, Nic. Nic Bishop Snakes. Scholastic. Oct. 2012. ISBN 9780545206389. JLG Level: SCE: Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Naturalist and Sibert-award winning photographer Nic Bishop is back with a new nonfiction book that is sure to both enlighten and awe you. Readers will pour over the vivid images and spout the amazing facts that they’ll learn about these reptiles. Did you know that “the extra-large scales on a snake’s belly act like the tread on your shoes?”

CLEMENTS, Andrew. About Average. S & S/Atheneum. 2012. ISBN 9781416997245. JLG Level: A: Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)

Best-selling author, Andrew Clements, explores the world of being average in his latest school story. Jordan, grade 6, finds her dreams of being extraordinary fading when she realizes that there will still be bullies and C grades, and that unexpected weather can give you a time to shine. Rather than solving everyone’s problems, Clements shows how you can live through your issues- even if you do feel ordinary. Above Average fills the gap for those upper elementary students who are looking for good realistic fiction on shelves with an abundance of fantasy.

HENKES, Kevin. Penny and Her Doll. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2012. ISBN 9780062082008. JLG Level E: Easy Reading (Grades 1-3)

Riding on the success of earlier this year, Henkes is back with another Penny adventure for early chapter readers. The mouse gets a new doll from her grandmother but has trouble deciding on just the right name. Short enough to use in a storytime session, you might want to talk about names and how they are chosen. And how do you say this author’s name?

SOUP, Dr. Cuthbert. No Other Story. Bloomsbury. Sept. 2012. ISBN 9781599908243. JLG Level: ME: Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

For your lovers of mystery, Dr. Cuthbert Soup is back with a new “other story.” The problem with time travel is that you have to avoid bumping into yourself. Ethan Cheeseman and his kids travel straight into the problem when they go back in time to try to save Mrs. Cheeseman from being poisoned. Sadly, the last of a hilarious series, readers will delight in the adventures and welcome the return of Steve the sock puppet.

CREECH, Sharon. The Great Unexpected. HarperCollins. Sept. 2012. ISBN 9780061892332. JLG Level: A+: Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)

Newbery author, Sharon Creech, brings us a new story on friendship. Finn falls out of a tree into the lives of two American orphans and also into the lives of two aunts in Ireland. Told in alternating chapters, Creech’s latest book combines magic and mystery into an enchanting tale for her long-awaiting fans.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

School Library Journal» Elementary

JLG’s On the Radar: Biographies for Upper Elementary Students

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Elementary Readers: New Offerings from Favorite Authors