Far North exploration

The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat called Fish: based on a true story by Jacqueline Briigs Martin, pictures by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin 2001

This short book packs in history, survival, the Far North and an Inupiaq family who helps save the sailors. When the boat Fish is ice locked, the crew must hike across treacherous ice to an island to wait for the melt. The family (mother, father and 2 children) take their supplies and skills which help save part of the crew despite a long time before rescue. Based on historical records this book gives great details and information. The illustrations are line drawings using Native style with realistic approach.

This books serves as great history, diversity and informational reading.

We are the Ship

We are the Ship: The story of Negro League Baseball words and paintings by Kadir Nelson

This stunning book combines sports, history and biography with detailed paintings that capture the viewer. The oversize paintings show details and emotions while sharing the key people and places of this league. The text is friendly to young people as it easily adds important information from the time period and the ugliness of racism in our country while still providing important details. Nelson does a fabulous job of pulling you into the greatness of this league and the many innovations that the players and managers promoted. The resources are cited with endnotes, bibliography, index and and author's note about the process.