The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices

Dogs are popular pets. The poems in this book explore our lives with dogs, including the funny, surprising, and comforting things they do. Although the major focus of this book is poetry by Joyce Sidman, it also includes short essays by teens who describe the dogs in their lives. The book is illustrated with photos by Doug Mindell, and was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2004.

The House in the Night

Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing - a key, a house, a light, a book, the moon, and more, make this simple pattern story into a good bedtime story. Written by Susan Marie Swanson, with scratchboard and watercolor illustrtions by Beth Krommes, this is a new 2008 book to look for.

More news in 2009: This won the Caldecott Medal, and is a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award.

Still more news in 2009: It won the Minnesota Book Award!!

I Need a Snake

Robbie really wants to have a snake for a pet. His mother is not so sure. After she reads him a book about snakes, and takes him to a museum and pet store to see some; Robbie finds his own pet "snakes" around the house. This story by Lynne Jonell, with child-like illustrations by Petra Mathers will have early readers cheering and looking for more (snakes?). The book was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1999.

El Lector

Thirteen year old Bella wants to be a lector like her grandfather. He sits on a special platform at the cigar factory, reading books, newspapers, and current events to the workers while they roll cigars. Lectors are highly respected members of the Cuban American community. This story is set during the Depression, and things are changing. The factory owners want to replace lectors with radios and union unrest begins with the arrival of other machines. Bella is a strong female protagonist, and this might supplement a unit on industialization and the labor problems associated with it. Written by William Durbin (a departure from his other books with stronger Minnesota connections), this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2007.

Louie the Layabout

Somehow this story had me thinking of Paul Bunyan. Maybe it will get readers thinking about other characters who were extra large in size. Louie is taller than everyone else in his community. He tries different jobs, but fails at each one. Finally he leaves home, moved to Pfeffernut County where a farmer is able to put him to work chasing crows, and watering and harvesting crops. Written by Nick Healy, with illustrations by Sahin Erkocak, this might also be a resource when discussing self esteem.

Eve and Smithy; An Iowa Tale

What's an Iowa story doing on a Minnesota page? Read to the end to find out. Eve likes to plant and take care of her garden, and to paint pictures. Sometimes she gets so busy painting that she forgets to take care of the garden. Her neighbor Smithy is there to gently remind her. In thanks, Eve gives him one of her paintings. Soon his house is full of Eve's paintings, and he wants to thank her. After careful thought, he comes up with the perfect gift (it is something that is unique to small towns in the Midwest, by the way). Written and illustrated by Michelle Edwards, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1995.

Loon at Northwood Lake

Although the unstated setting for this story is probably someplace in New England, it's easy to believe this story is about Minnesota's state bird, the loon. Part of the Smithsonian's Backyard series, it describes the summer season of a pair of loons on a northern lake. It includes the selection of a nesting site, raising chicks, protecting them from predators, and finally watching the chicks learn to fly. Written by Elizabeth Ring, illustrated by Taylor Oughton, this story will help readers understand the habitat and habits of Minnesota's state bird.

Born to Pull

This is a wonderful resource to accompany any study about sled dog racing, whether it is an Iditarod unit, or a study of Woodsong, or other book about racing by Gary Paulsen. The book includes information on what makes a good sled dog, breeds, how dogs live (food, activities, and care), how they communicate with other dogs and humans, training, and racing. The author, Bob Cary, and illustrator, Gail de Marcken, are both from Ely, Minnesota, and the book is rich in content with superb illustrations that say more than photographs possibly could.

Hilde and Eli; Children of the Holocaust

Hilde Rosenzweig was born in Frankfort, Germany. As a child she loved to ride her tricycle and play with dolls. Eli Lax was born in Zarich, Czechoslovakia. He studied hard in school and loved animals. Both were children during the early years of Nazi rule in Germany. They were among the 1.5 million Jewish children who were victims of the Holocaust. This is their story, told by David Adler, with illustrations by Minnesota's Karen Ritz. This is a difficult subject for young readers to understand, but this book balances candor with discretion. If a class is reading a book such as Devil's Arithmetic or Number the Stars, this could be a supplemental title. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1995.

Minnesota 150: The People, Places and Things That Shape Our State

This could be a reference book, or a book for readers to browse their way through. The book showcases 150 people, places, events, and other things that have shaped the history of Minnesota. A few sample entries include Ann Bancroft, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Betty Crocker, F. Scott Fitzgerld, Guthrie Theater, Hubert Humphrey, Mayo Clinic, Pipestone, SPAM, and the Willmar 8, just to name a few. It was written for the states sesquicentennial in 2008 by Kate Roberts; is a supplement to the Minnesota History Center exhibit by the same name, and could also be a resource for History Day projects. More information is available on the Minnesota 150 website.

Our Family Tree; An Evolution Story

Evolution can be a tricky subject. In this book written and illustrated by Minnesotans Lisa Westberg Peters and Lauren Stringer; readers will learn about their ancient family and evolution through the fossil record. Along the way they will see single cells in a vast ocean, the first vertebrates, fish, amphibians, warm blooded reptiles, mammals and primates. Endnotes and a timeline supplement the text. This book won the Minnesota Book Award in 2004.

The Incredible Water Show

Mrs. Page's fifth grade class is at it again --this time they create a play about the water cycle. Filled with information about water and the water cycle, the play becomes a wet-and-wild celebration for everyone. Written and illustrated by Debra Frasier, it is a very colorful introduction to the subject of water.

Castles, Caves and Honeycombs

Using a simple rhyming text, this book introduces the unique places where animals build their homes; such as in a pile of twigs, a cave, and in the hollow of a tree, among others. Written by Linda Ashman, the story is illustrated by Minnesota's Lauren Stringer.

Snail and Buffalo

Buffalos are big - and they can do things - like lick salt, thrash, charge, and cake themselves with mud. By comparison, snails are small, slow, and often afraid. Read this story to see how a seemingly insignficant creature can impress the mighty buffalo. At the same time, you will learn about friendship, bravery, and the importance of individual differences. Written by Jim Lattimer, illustrated by Tom Curry, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1996.

My Palace of Leaves in Sarajevo

Zlata's Diary was a popular and award-winning story about the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990's. Here is another story about that war by Marybeth Lorbiecki with illustrations by Herbert Tauss. Covering the years of 1991-1995, it is told as a collection of letters between a girl named Nadja and her cousin in Minnesota. The letters describe the horrors of war on one side, and offer reasons for hope on the other.

Horse Sense

Subtitled "the story of Will Sasse, his horse Star and the outlaw Jesse James", this book takes a small slice of the author's family history and weaves it into the story of the Northfield Bank robbery by Jesse James and his gang in 1876. This story is well stocked with adventure, horses, gunfights, and family conflict. Written by Jan Neubert Schultz, it could supplement a unit on Minnesota history.

Wiil Waal; A Somali Folktale

Wiil Waal is the nickname of a famous Sultan in Somalia. One day he brings a group of men together to challenge them with a riddle. "Bring me part of one of your sheep - that will symbolize what can divide people and unite them as one." What part of the sheep is the answer?, the leg, the heart, the ribs? Most of the men presented prime cuts of meat. But the daughter of a poor man had a different idea. That advice brings about a surprising result. Part of the Somali Bilingual Book Project of the Minnesota Humanities Commission; retold by Kathleen Moriarty, translated by Jamal Adam, and illustrated by Amin Amir, this is an excellent multicultural tale.

Dia's Story Cloth

Written by Dia Cha, this is her autobiographical account of escaping from war-torn Laos, living in a refugee camp, and eventually emigrating to the United States. In addition to the text, the story is told visually through a 'story cloth' stitched by her aunt and uncle, Chue and Nhia Thao Cha. The book was part of the Hmong Translation Initiative sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Commission, and is available in white and green Hmong in addition to English. Endnotes by Joyce Herold from the Denver Museum of Natural History provide more historical background on Hmong history and culture. It is an excellent rescource for anyone studying Hmong culture.

Ellis Island, Doorway to Freedom

This picture book describes the history of Ellis Island, from its earliest days at Dutch territory, through the War of 1812, to its conversion into an imigration center. As such, over 16 million immigrants were processed there between 1892-1954 when the facility was closed. It was eventually restored and reopened as a museum in 1990. Written by Steven Kroll, the book is significant to Minnesota, because the illustrator, Karen Ritz, won the Minnesota Book Award for it in 1996. Done in pen, ink, pencil and watercolor, the pictures of immigrants especially, add much to the book. It is an excellent resource for children studying Ellis Island.

Cat, You Better Come Home

Puff, a dissatisfied, somewhat uppity, cat leaves home, because she wants to taste the 'good life'. Using a bouncy, syncopated rhyme, Garrison Keillor tells Puff's story as she travels to Greece, and France, and Copenhagen, living the high life all the way. Unfortunately, her yacht sinks in Copenhagen, and everyone fears she is gone for good. But sometime later, there comes a 'scratch, scratch' at the window of her home, and a contrite Puff has finally come home. With illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1996.

The Blue Ghost

Nine year old Liz has gone to her grandmother's cabin to help her clean and prepare to sell it. She is awakened at night by a woman ghost dressed in blue. Over the next few nights, Liz is led to make contact with several children that she believes may be her ancestors. This story by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Suling Wang takes readers back in history as Liz learns about her family's story through a gently spooky tale.

Firestorm

Maggie hates the thought of moving from beautiful Superior Wisconsin to the dusty small town of Hinckley Minnesota in 1894. A few months later, she and her family are caught in the huge fire that raced across the area. Maggie, her father and grandmother race to get aboard the last train leaving town. Later, she realized that her brothers did not make it to the train on time. Now, she must return to Hinckley or risk never seeing them again. A heart-stopping adventure by Jan Neubert Schultz, this won the Minnesota Book Award in 2003, and will supplement Minnesota history units on the Hinckley fire.

Grow; A Novel in Verse

Everything about Berneetha is large - her size, her mouth, and her dreams. When she decides to create a community garden on a vacant lot in Minneapolis, twelve year old Kate Sibley just has to help make that dream a reality. Slowly a number of neighbors also get involved and help, and slowly a community begins to grow, just like the garden. Written in poetry form, it is a fast read. Authored by Juanita Havill, it is similar to Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman; both tell a story of people working together to make their community a better place.

A Bear Named Trouble

"Trouble" is a young grizzly bear, living in the wilds of Alaska, but near Anchorage. One day he is kicked in the face by a female moose, and injured. Unable to find food easily, he wanders into town, and eventually digs his way into the zoo. After three break-ins, he is captured and sent to the Duluth Minnesota zoo. This is a fictionalized account, by Marion Dane Bauer, of the real "Trouble". Visit the Zoo's website for pictures and more information about Trouble. The book was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2005.

Save the Colors

When 12 year old Charley Olson hears President Lincoln call for volunteers, he knows he must join the fight to save the Union. Defying his family, he becomes a drummer boy for the First Minnesota Regiment. This exciting story, by Joanne Reisberg, will take readers to the Battle of Bull Run, where Charley's courage is supremely tested. This is a useful supplement to Minnesota history and/or Civil War units.

Around the World

Basketball is an international game, and this book visually demonstrates that reality. Written by John Coy, illustrated by Antonio Reonegro and Tom Lynch, this story will take readers around the world as they follow a pickup basketball game that starts in New York City to Australia, China, Brazil, France, Nigeria, and Canada, among other locations. The sights, sounds, and actions of basketball are very real - the grit, the sweat, the dribbles, and the swishes are all here. Teachers might use it along with Coy's book "Strong to the Hoop".

When Eagles Fall

Alex has too many problems in her life and she's angry. Her parents are splitting up, her younger brother has died of cancer, and now she's been banished from her California home to spend time in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota with her father who is a biologist. One day, doing something to defy her father, Alex does something to set events in motion that cause a near disaster. This tale by Mary Casanova is a survival tale for girls, and could be a literary supplement to a unit on bald eagles.