Team Moon

For young people, not yet born at the time of the moon landing, this book is a must read. Filled with historical photos, and based on thorough research in the NASA archives, this presents many of the challenges behind the scene of the successful trip to the moon in 1969. Written by Catherine Thimmesh, this won the Sibert Award in 2007, as well as being selected for Best Books for Young Adults, an Orbis Pictus Honor, and was selected by NCTE for their list of Best Language Arts books for that year. It's a winner all around.

The Red Ghost

In this easy chapter-book story (and a companion to The Blue Ghost), a young girl named Jenna finds the perfect birthday gift for her little sister at a neighbor's garage sale. It's a beautiful old doll in red velvet. But as soon as she brings it home, strange and troubling things start to happen. Is the doll haunted? It's an eerie, spooky story for young mystery fans by Marion Dane Bauer.

Girls Think of Everything

This is a collection of brief biographical sketches of girls and women who changed the world with an invention. Twelve women are featured including Ruth Wakefield (chocolate chip cookies), Bette Nesmith (Liquid Paper), Margaret Knight (paper grocery bags), and Patsy Sherman (Scotchgard), among others. The endpapers list another 100 women and their inventions. The text by Catherine Thimmesh and collage illustrations by Melissa Sweet make this a fun book to browse (or maybe find a little inspiration). It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2001.

The Very Best Daddy of All

A companion story to My Mother is Mine, this gentle picture book by Marion Dane Bauer describes all of the things animal fathers do for their offspring. The young narrator concludes that she has the best father of all. The pastel illustrations by Leslie Wu add atmosphere to the story.

Grace Above All

Thirteen year old Grace is expected to do the cooking and housework, as well as babysit her younger siblings when her family goes to the lake for a short vacation. Frankie, a boy her age is staying at the cabin next door. Soon Grace is torn between responsibilities to her family, and a first romantic relationship with Frankie. A second novel from Jane St. Anthony, reviewers have described it as a companion to her first book, "The Summer Sherman Loved Me".

The Double Digit Club

The Double Digit Club is an exclusive group only for girls who have celebrated their tenth birthday, and snooty Valerie is in charge of the group. The protagonist of this story, Sarah, is afraid that she will have a very lonely summer after her best friend Paige joins the 'club', and she tries everything to prevent that from happening. It's a story about growing up, even in some unexpected ways. Written by Marion Dane Bauer, it was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2005, and would be a light quick to finish the summer with.

Madam President

Although published in 2004 (but I just discovered a revised edition was released in February 2008, which I haven't seen), this is an excellent book for girls to read in the 2008 election year. It is a collection of 23 brief biographical sketches of women who have led the fight for the right to vote, to hold either elected or appointed high offices, and to contribute to government policy making. Readers will find sketches of Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sara Bard Field, Margaret Chase Smith, and Madeleine Albright, among others. Written by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Douglas B. Jones, it is a book to share with a young girl, or use as a resource while studying the election. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2005.

Baby Bear Discovers the World

Readers will follow a baby bear's first adventure into the world on his own. Wanting to prove his independence, our hero ventures a little too close to places where he doesn't belong. Written by Marion Dane Bauer, with photos by Minnesotan Stan Tekiela, this book will make readers feel like they are in the adventure with baby bear. End notes provide more information about black bears. Three pages of out-takes and bloopers show that the photography was not as easy as it looks! It's a nice informational book with some fun mixed in.

Storm Coming

Clouds rolling in, humidity rising, and distant rumbles of thunder--these are all signs that a storm is coming. This book is a collection of 22 poems by Audrey Baird, and vividly describes the effects of a thunderstorm. Baird uses a number of poetic forms: simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, among others to make this a nice link between language arts and a unit on the weather. Illustrations by Patrick O'Brien add to the atmosphere of the storm.

Box Out

Sophomore Liam Bergstrom has just been promoted to the varsity basketball team at his midwestern high school. The pressure is on him to meet his coach's and teammates expectations. While the girls team is probably headed for state, the boys are struggling, and the coach starts to count on the power of prayer to win; and he requires participation by all the players. Liam must decide whether to stand up for himself, and his beliefs, against his teammates, his fellow students, and even his parents. There are several important themes in this newest novel by John Coy: racism, prayer in schools, "team" sports, and peer pressure - all of significant importance to teen readers.

You Can Write a Story!

Writing a story is a lot like using a recipe to cook something special. That's the approach used by Lisa Bullard in this guide to writing. She begins with the basic ingredients of character, setting, and action; then adds in story resolution, title, revision, and editing. Each chapter has a brainstorming exercise, and a 'practice with me' section. The colorful illustrations by Deborah Haley Melmon add interest, but are not distracting. This could be a great resource for classes doing creative writing.

Three Names of Me

International adoption provides the basis of this story. Ada Lorane Bennett explains how she has three names: the first from her birth mother which is buried deep in her heart; the second given to her at the orphanage; and the third given to her by her adoptive parents. Ada also describes her life in America, her likes and dislikes, and introduces a few facts about China, her place of birth. The book concludes with several pages from Ada's scrapbook - which might provide inspiration for girl readers to create their personal scrapbook. Written by Mary Cummings with realistic illustrations by Lin Wang; this provides a positive view of adoption, and could be a resource for a class discussion of international adoption.

A Question of Trust

Brad's parents have recently separated, and his mom has moved into an apartment. The separation is very painful for Brad and his younger brother Charle. When a stray cat gives birth to two kittens in their backyard shed, it is an opportunity for Brad to show how he can be responsible. When one of the kittens dies, Brad makes several poor decisions, and soon is in over his head. Will anyone, animal or human, trust him now? With the storytelling skills of Marion Dane Bauer behind it, this is an excellent story on the theme of trust and responsibility. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1995.

Big Momma Makes the World

In a little twist of the creation story, Big Momma creates a world of light, dark, sun, moon, earth, animals, and people; all just by speaking. With a down-home style, author Phyllis Root and illustrator Helen Oxenbury tell the creation story in a new and unique way. This won the Horn Book Award for Picture Books in 2003.

The Dream Mouse: A Lullaby Tale from Old Latvia

In this lullaby story, Barbara Esbensen uses a Latvian form of poetry, the daina, to create a magical world. In that world, a little mouse drives a wagon loaded with dreams for children in their beds. Drawing word pictures, with colorful illustrations by Judith Mitchell, this becomes an enchanting story for parents to read to young children.

Face to Face With Wolves

The newest wolf book by Jim Brandenburg, this will introduce readers to the daily life and habits of the gray wolf. With photos from Minnesota, Ellesmere Island, and other places; this book will give readers a close-up look at wolves in their natural habitat. A glossary, fact page, bibliography, and suggestions for how readers can support the wolves' comback are included in the back. As usual, the photographs are wonderful!

Tomatoes, Potatoes, Corn and Beans

Subtitled "How the Foods of the Americas Changed Eating Around the World", by Sylvia A. Johnson; this book describes how a variety of foods grown in the Americas were taken to Europe, Africa and other places and changed the way people eat around the world. Illustrated with archival prints from botanical sources and other pictures and photographs, this is a very interesting read. I personally learned a number of new bits of information as I read it. The book was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1998, and was selected for the NCSS "Notable Social Studies Trade Books" list in 1998.

A Mama for Owen

Owen, a baby hippopotamus, who survived the tsunami of 2004, may be the most widely known creature who survived that disaster. This picture book by Marion Dane Bauer, with acrylic and colored pencil illustrations by John Butler, retells the story of Owen and his friend Mzee, the giant tortoise. Although they seem to be an odd pair, they have become best friends and now live in a nature preserve in Africa.

Twigboy

This fantasy picture book conveys the story of Twigboy and his friend Rockwell. Twigboy has accidently wandered into the dangerous area called Weedland, where he is rescued by Rockwell. They decide to seek revenge on the plants and animals in Weedland. Written and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, the book illustrates the importance of having friends.

Ride

"How about going for a ride?", Mom asks as the family piles into the car. Soon Brother and Sister are arguing and fighting in the back seat. Every kid who has ever shared a car seat with a brother or sister will relate to this colorful picture book written and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

Chased By the Light

Award-winning nature photographer, and Minnesota native, Jim Brandenburg assigned himself the task of taking only one photograph a day for the ninety days of autumn. The photos were all taken near his home in far northern Minnesota. The resulting collection and book might be of particular interest to teens and young adults who are interested in the art of photography. Jim also created a similar book called Looking for the Summer, which, although he didn't limit himself to one photo a day, is a similar collection of pictures for each day of summer.

This is Just to Say

It is often hard to say "I'm sorry" or ask forgiveness when you've done something wrong. This book by Joyce Sidman, is a collection of poems by the sixth grade students in Mrs. Merz's class. They each have writen an apology, in the form of a poem, to someone they may have hurt. The book also includes poems of acceptance from some of the addressees. The mixed media illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski enhance the atmosphere of the book.