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.

What the World Eats

Photographs by Peter Menzel, text by Faith D'Aluisio
A compendium of the world's weekly food by family, this visual treat takes the reader around the globe to 25 families pictured with their weekly food. The charts and data add to understanding in comparisons for street food, meat consumption, fast food, and more. This oversized book is useful for many lessons and to talk about difference and commonalities.
It is located in the Oversize JFK Lower level TX353 .M438 2008

Kenn Nesbitt- GetLit

Local poet Kenn Nesbitt is performing as part of EWU GetLit at Aunties Bookstore Sat. April 18 3-4:30.

His website http://poetry4kids.com offers a fun place to explore poetry

New YA Morris award

ALA announced a book award finalists' short list of five titles. The new Wm. Morris award for a new YA author will be awarded for the first time in January 2009.

• A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce, published by Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic;
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore, published by Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt;
• Absolute Brightness by James Lecesne, published by HarperTeen/Laura Geringer Books;
• Madapple by Christina Meldrum, published by Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books; and
• Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine, published by HarperTeen

An amazing list of the best kid's books of 2008 lists so many options--Great Fun!

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

Family issues abound in this story told by Henry about his older brother's accident and the many repercussions.
The intertwining of Henry growing up and the family's and community's reactions to trouble make the reader think.

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.

Blue Lipstick : Concrete poems

Blue Lipstick: Concrete poems by John Grandits has an eye catching cover that shows off the style of concrete poems. Students in our literature classes often need to find great examples of different poetry styles and this one is fun for middle school and high school.

We also have a copy of Conversations with a poet -- the book Dr. Bradley edited and uses in her EDUC 401 class.