Book Finder

The addition of a runt pig to their New Hampshire farm — as a pet, not for the plate — allowed the author to observe close-up how affection (even inter-species) builds community and friendship. Personal recollections of family, how Christopher Hogwood (the pig named after the British conductor) helped develop camaraderie is combined with animal fact in this engrossing memoir.

Though they joined the Confederate or Union armies for a variety of reasons, women fought during the Civil War. What they experienced, how they hid their true identities, and the conditions faced by everyone is presented in lucid text and archival material. Thoroughly researched and well documented, this is a little known aspect of women in the Civil War.

Knox was a Boston bookseller in Colonial America who would go on to join the Continental Army and later become the young country’s first Secretary of War. Silvey presents the “dramatic story of his achievements [which is a…] little-known episode in the history of the American Revolution. 

The update of Children’s Books and Their Creators (1995) presents biographies about the creators, overviews of history, issues; and genres in the field; and includes “voices” of 30 authors and illustrators. The information is easily accessible in an alphabetical arrangement to make a range of information available from A to Z. You may also want to read editorials on a variety of topics that Anita Silvey wrote as editor of the Horn Book Magazine.

In her introduction, Silvey asserts that “Children’s Books change lives. [This book] provides insight into how they do this.” The organization suggests how books have touched people (e.g. in career later choice or developing a deeper understanding). An excerpt, a bit of background, and the cover of each book discussed are included with each essay. Contributors represent a wide range of fields from science to business to well known children’s book creators. This fascinating glimpse at the power of literature is sure to inspire, intrigue, and inform.

Silvey’s years of experience reading, evaluating, and publishing children’s books combines with her passion for literature that endures over time and generations comes together in this insightful glimpses at 100 books. These are both time-tested and modern classics that have and will continue to delight children from birth to about 12 years. Intriguing stories about the books and their creators are included with each short, descriptive essay. Additional titles are suggested as is a suggestion to keep a reading journal.

Recognizing a “golden age” of young adult literature, Silvey combines her considerable experience and a love of literature to identify and write about books for young adults. Many were written specifically for that audience; others were published as adult books but of interest to younger readers. The books are organized by subject that appeal to young adults (e.g., humor, horror, historical fiction) and that represent a level of quality. Additional titles are recommended, including audio books. Additionally, books are listed by geographic location and by suggested age ranges (up to 18).

When Darryl finds an injured racing pigeon, he nurses it back to health and hopes to return it to its rightful owner. When he learns that the owner might kill the untraceable bird, Daryl decides to keep the pigeon.

In a gripping and enthralling sequel to FLY, CHEROKEE, FLY, Darryl is the proud owner of two new baby racing pigeons - and still fancies older girl Susan rotten. But he also has a problem with bullying Warren Spigott, who threatens to harm the birds - and especially the one Darryl has named Pawnee Warrior, which is to begin its early training in Warren’s father’s pigeon-loft… With the help of his new friend Suzie, Darryl knows that, to protect his birds, he must now become a warrior himself.

David Rain is a student, desperate to find lodgings. When he moves in to Wayward Crescent with Mrs. Pennykettle and her daughter, he realizes he’s also sharing the house with dragons!

The dragon lore and backgrounds first introduced in The Fire Within continues in Icefire with David now in college. The series continues with the exciting Fire Star and David’s involvement with polar bears as well as dragons. Both of these are most appropriate for kids 11-14 years old. Dark Fire is the 2010 addition to the dragon lore series.

Jack buys an old stuffed bear at a thrift shop, planning to draw it for his art project. But that bear gets him into a whole lot of trouble.

Ering channels the mind of Dr. Frankenstein in this imaginary re-creation of the doctor’s long-lost sketchbooks, including detailed anatomical studies, views of his laboratory, and images of his “monster.” The text is handwritten, the drawings are dark and gothic in feel, and the pages themselves feel old and discolored as if from age.

A range of emotions flows from each short piece in poetry and prose as readers share the ups and downs of basketball. Sophisticated readers will see themselves in both word and image, all attractively formatted in a distinctive design.

Short stories about a variety of sports not only focus on young people’s participation but are used as a device to highlight a specific and important quality such as self-confidence. The tone of each story ranges from serious to humorous but each ends with a quote from a well-known figure and complemented by Smith’s artful photographs.

Family sticks with family. That’s the golden rule G’ma taught Kendall. But once G’ma’s gone, Kendall has no family left-except for Aunt Janet whom she barely remembers. With child services on Kendall’s case and just 10 days to get her apartment lease renewed, Kendall sets out for Janet’s home in New Orleans to get her life in order-and her questions answered.

Ana Shen has what her social studies teacher calls a “marvelously biracial, multicultural family” but what Ana simply calls a Chinese-American father and an African-American mother. And on eighth-grade graduation day, that’s a recipe for disaster. Both sets of grandparents are in town to celebrate, and Ana’s best friend has convinced her to invite Jamie Tabata-the cutest boy in school—for a home-cooked meal.

Lucy Otswego is a big girl who towers over just about everyone and everything in her small Alaskan town-except for her father’s reputation as a mean drunk. At fifteen, Lucy runs away from the cruel classmates who see her only as the Giant, the neighboring adults who pity her, and the abusive father whose fleeting attention is worse than his indifference. When the crew of a crabbing boat assumes she’s much older than she is and invites her to sign on for the season, she jumps at the chance to escape her teenage life.

Claudette Colvin, a 15-year old African American student in the mid-1950s, helped change a nation. Her refusal to give up her seat was the precursor to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Colvin’s words are interspersed with a lucid narrative and additional primary sources in this remarkable look at a person and the period in which she lived.

Regardless of where in the world they live or what cause they take up, the young people introduced here share passion, energy, and vision that may well inspire others to start to initiate change, too. From local activities to much broader venues, readers will follow how these young people have shaped their world and touched lives. The book gives young readers the tools to bring about change. Many young people are seeking out ways to become constructively engaged in their world. This book couldn’t be more timely.

Children and young people have always been active participants in events that shaped U.S. history. Individuals and their impact are introduced as is their place in history ranging from the young crew members who sailed with Christopher Columbus to the 15-year-old African American high school student who refused to give up her bus seat.

Based on his father’s immigration files from Angel Island, Laurence Yep and his niece Dr. Kathleen S. Yep bring us the story of a ten-year-old boy from China who must prepare for his interrogation at Angel Island. The young boy memorizes everything from the layout of his village to the number of doors in the house, and continues his study on the sea voyage to San Francisco with his father. The Yeps provide a powerful account of the intensity and challenge Chinese immigrants faced at Angel Island, as well as the complexity of the relationships for those families who were spread between China and the U.S.