Frontier Fort: Life on the Upper Mississippi, 1826

In this book readers will follow the daily life of a family living at Fort Snelling in the 1820's. The information focuses on ten-year old Henry Snelling, son of the post commander. Sidebars provide additional information and activities. This will be useful for a Minnesota history unit.

General Store: A Village Store in 1902

Readers of this book will follow a young girl as she visits a general store to buy things for her mother. The book was photographed at the historic Meighen Store in Forestville, MN. Sidebars provide additional information and activities. Helpful background for a Minnesota history unit.

Critters of Minnesota

This little field guide provides concise information about fifty Minnesota native animals (mammals and birds). It includes such information as size, habits, food, predators, range, pictures of their tracks or nests, and color pictures of the animals. Helpful for a unit on Minnesota animals.

Mudball

Well, it certainly isn't baseball season outside, but this book might get you thinking about it. Andy Oyler was the shortest player on the 1903 Minneapolis Millers baseball team. He was not known for his ability as a hitter. But in the game described in this book, Andy saved the day and the game by hitting the shortest homerun in baseball history. Written and illustrated by Matt Tavares, the pictures add much to the atmosphere of the story. Additional background is available in the author's note at the end. It's a fun read for baseball fans of all ages.

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

Fifth grader, Sage, has a very embarrassing moment when she misunderstands the spelling and definition of one of her vocabulary words--miscellaneous. Both the primary and secondary storylines in this book (study the pages closely) offer fun ideas for word games. It might even take the drugery out of spelling lists. Written and illustrated by Debra Frasier, with bright primary colors, this story is fun from start to finish.

Imagine a House

Children sometimes have a worldview that is limited by their experiences. This book will help them expand their horizons by exploring the houses that people live in around the world. Twelve different styles of home are included here, from igloos in the Artic (and in Africa) to adobe, to houseboats, and tents among others. Written by Minnesota author, Angela Gustafson, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2004.

Great Northern Diver: The Loon

Using a picture book format, Barbara Esbensen and Mary Barrett Brown combine their talent to record the behavior of a pair of loons during the summer nesting season on a northern lake. While bird guides can provide basic information about the loon, this book captures the beauty and uniqueness of Minnesota's state bird. Use with a unit on birds, Minnesota animals, or Minnesota symbols.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

The subtitle for this short collection of stories is: "and other outrageous tales about extreme sports". The cover art and 'extreme sports' should be enough to capture junior high boys. Indeed, this collection of sketches recounts several stunts tried by the author and his friends when they were junior high age. The stunts include shooting over a watefall in a barrel, setting a land speed record on skiis, hang gliding with an army surplus parachute, skateboarding (before there were skateboards), and bungee jumping (before it had been invented). By the way, all these things happened in the small northwest Minnesota town where author Gary Paulsen grew up.

Escaping Tornado Season

The metaphor of surviving a tornado describes 13-year old Allie's life as she deals with the deaths of her father and twin brother, adjusts to a move from Nebraska (in tornado alley) to a small town in northern Minnesota, tries to reach out and understand her emotionally distant (possibly depressed) mother, and refuses to go along with local prejudice against the Ojibwe who life nearby. There are many many issues for the characters in this story, told in poetry form, and written by Julie Williams (her first novel), who spent part of her youth in Minnesota.

Minn from Minnesota

Gertie, a Swedish woman living in northern Minnesota, discovers Minn, a white footed mouse, in a bushel of cherries from Michigan, and invites her to share a cabin in the woods. A series of events separates the pair, and Minn embarks on a trip around the state, meeting new friends (human and animal). Her goal is to get back home to Gertie, and her spunky personality gets her out of several scary moments. Authored by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Karen Busch Holman, this early chapter book is a nice introduction to Minnesota animals for young readers and a good read-aloud.

If You Want to See a Caribou

Quiet free verse by Phyllis Root and beautiful color woodblock prints by Jim Meyer unite here to tell the story of an adult and child who explore an island in Lake Superior as they search for caribou. Additional information about woodland caribou is available at the end of the book. This would be a nice addition to a unit on Minnesota wildlife.

Rattletrap Car

It's a hot summer day and Junie and Jakie would like to go for a swim at the lake. But, will their old rattletrap jalopy of a car actually get them there? Author Phyllis Root uses alliteration and onomatopoeia to describe the breakdowns and the innovative solutions that work to help the family finish their trip. The illustrations by Jill Barton add humorous details to this "Hoot!" of a story.

The Name Quilt

Phyllis Root has captured another special childhood moment in this story. It is about a young girl Sadie, her grandmother, and the stories they share inspired by the names on a patchwork quilt. Sadly, one day the quilt is swept away in a rainstorm; but Sadie and her grandmother realize that the stories connected to the quilt are shared memories that can live on. They also start to work on a new quilt. Share this story along with Patricia Polacco's "Keeping Quilt" for a unit on family histories.

Noah's Mittens

Here's a story about Noah that you probably won't find in the Bible. In this tale, Lise Lunge-Larson blends legend and tall tale to explain the origin of felt. Noah and the animals are aboard the ark, but it is SO hot inside that the sheep's coats turn into thick cloth that practically strangles them. Noah cuts the heavy fabric off, but then doesn't have a place to use it, until the ark lands on Mt. Ararat. There's snow on the mountain! How will Noah and his family stay warm? Finally, he remembers the fabric and creates warm clothes and mittens for everyone. Humorous illustrations by Matthew Trueman add to the story.

The Lion's Share

The hungry animals of the Somali forest have worked together to hunt and kill a fat camel. Now they must decide how to divide the meat fairly. Will the portions be equal? Not with the lion in charge! This picture book version of a popular Somali folktale will help children understand why "the lion's share" is not always fair. This book is part of the Somali Bilingual Book Project coordinated by the Minnesota Humanities Commission. It is written Said Salah Ahmed and illustrated by kelly Dupre.

Blackberry Stew

This is the most recent story from Hope's family; this one relates events on the day of Grandpa Jack's funeral. This is a very sad day for Hope, but Aunt Poogee helps her to remember past adventures with Grandpa Jack, especially a day spent picking blackberries and enjoying blackberry stew. The yummy sounding recipe is included. This might be shared with children suffering a personal loss.

Family

The sequel to Hope; readers will again spend time with Hope and her family. The event, this time, is a family picnic in the summer. Everyone brings their special food (Hope contributes sweet and sour pickles--wait until you read the ingredients), the kids play games, and the family has a wonderful time together. Several recipes are included at the back.

Hope

This is the story of a young girl, named Hope, who is visiting her great aunt Poogee in the country. Readers will follow their adventures together and learn the story about how Hope got her name, and about her biracial heritage. An uplifting story about families by Isabelle Monk, illustrated by Janice Lee Porter.

Tale of Despereaux

The Newbery Medal winner from 2004, this has become a widely read and loved story by Minnesotan Kate DiCamillo. It is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with a human, Princess Pea. Other major characters are Roscuro, a rat who lives in a dungeon, but craves the light; and Miggery Sow a slow-witted serving girl who longs to be a princess. The author skillfully weaves these four storylines together into a tale that is a wonderful read-aloud. The book was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award in 2004, and has been a nominee or winner in a number of other state book awards.

Up North at the Cabin

As winter creeps closer and closer, this book is a pleasant reminder of summer just past. In this story a girl anticipates a vacation at a cabin in the northwoods, experiences several wonders of nature while there, and returns home with fond memories to save until next summer. Authored by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Steve Johnson, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1993.

Dear Papa

Set in Minnesota during World War II, this story is told through the letters written by nine-year old Isabelle to her dead father and others. What starts as a brief school assignment soon has a life of its own, and readers will get a close look at a girl struggling with changes in her life. This is sure to be popular with "diary" book readers.

The Raven's Gift; A True Story from Greenland

Minnesota author and illustrator Kelly Dupre uses a picture book to tell the story of her husband Lonnie's trip around Greenland via kayak, dogsled, and skiis. Sidebars illustrate artic animals and explain the history and culture of Greenland. Central to the story is an encounter with a raven whose leg had become entangled with a stick and musk ox fur. The bird allowed Lonnie to free it, in turn giving him renewed strength and resolve to finish the journey. This book could be used to supplement a study of the artic.

What Dads Can't Do

In this light humorous story, a little green dinosaur gives examples of the things that regular people can do, but dads can't; such as crossing the street without holding hands, hitting the baseball very hard, or giving a bath without getting wet. This book, and a companion story "What Moms Can't Do" are written by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Doug Cushman, and are wonderful read-alouds for young children.

The Wolfhound

It is wintertime in Russia and a boy named Pavel discovers a dog half frozen in the snow, and saves it. When he shows it to his father, he learns that it is a wolfhound, a breed kept only by the nobility and the Tsar himself. His father fears that they will be accused of stealing the dog. The story has a heartwarming ending after Pavel tries to send the dog home through the Tsar's forest. Written by Minnesotan Kristine Franklin, illustrated by Kris Waldherr, this will touch the heart of animal lovers.

A Civil War Drummer Boy: The Diary of William Bircher 1861-1865

This book includes exceprts from the diary of William Bircher, a fifteen year old Minnesotan who was a drummer with the Second Minnesota Regiment in the Civil War. Some of the major battles that he participated in include Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Sherman's March to Atlanta. The diary is supplemented with sidebars providing background information, suggested activities, and other resources.

Tell Me What We Did Today

With this simple statement, a father and daughter take time to talk about the activities (real and make-believe) that they've done that day. Written by Rick Kupchella, illustrated by Warren Hanson, this a a fun story to share with a young child.

A Home in a New Land

This book for independent readers, tells the story of Carl Erik and his family who have just moved to Minnesota from Sweden. His father files a homestead claim, and shortly thereafter, goes to work in a logging camp to raise money for supplies to build the family's cabin. Now Carl Erik must be the man of the house, and he learns a valuable lesson about sharing when an unexpected visitor arrives one day. Written by Joan Sandin, this provides a glimpse of pioneer life in Minnesota, for early readers.

The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell

As the weather gets colder this time of year, and we hear the first winter storm warnings, I am often reminded of the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This book, beautifully created by Kathy-jo Wargin and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen tells the tragic story of the ore-laden ship that sank suddenly in 1975 in Lake Superior during a early winter storm. The oil paintings, in particular, capture the drama of this tragedy.

Horns and Wrinkles

Part of the Mississippi River near Blue Wing, Minnesota is under a spell. River trolls and rock trolls are wreaking havoc everywhere. Only twelve year old Claire dares to tackle this problem and try to get to the bottom of things. This is a fast-paced tale of fantasy and humor with a local setting (don't miss the directions to Blue Wing at the end), written by Minnesotan Joseph Helgerson and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli, this may become the latest addition to Minnesota folklore.

Tracks in the Wild

Another beautifully illustrated book; written and illustrated by Betsy Bowen, this won the Minnesota Book Award in 1994. In this book, Bowen focuses on animals found in the northwoods. She provides basic facts, observations and insights about 13 animals that live near her home. Altogether, it is a handsome book and an excellent addition for a unit on Minnesota animals.

The Great Wolf and the Good Woodsman

The classic story by Helen Hoover has new woodcut illustrations by Betsy Bowen. Although he has a reputation as a creature to be feared; in this story a wolf summons help for an injured woodsman who has always provided food for the forest animals. The wolf was rewarded for his kindness, and ever since if you listen closely at Christmas, you will hear the howling wolf call "Nooooo-ellllll! in memory of the Great Wolf and the Good Woodsman.