Book Finder

Told in the voices of young people, a novel in verse about the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Author Jacqueline Jules, who was a school librarian in Arlington, Virginia on 9/11, tells the story of that day through a tapestry of poems.

Framed with both humor and compassion, the book describes 10 characteristics that help illuminate — not define — children with autism. A child’s voice leads into each chapter. Notbohm’s personal experiences as a parent of children with autism and ADHD and a contributor to numerous publications, classrooms, and conferences coalesce to create a guide for all who come in contact with a child on the autism spectrum. 

A picture book that shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of speaking. The story is written from the boy’s first-person perspective and highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others. Written by an autistic mother of two autistic sons.

When K-5 students understand how to read text features like diagrams, bullets, insets, and tables, they are reading the whole page ― essential for deep comprehension of nonfiction and fiction text. In this revised edition, educators Kelley and Clausen-Grace show you how to explicitly teach K-5 students to read text features, use them to navigate text, and include them in their own writing. 

A portrait of some of the world’s most incredible trees, seen through the eyes of a landscaper who loves them — and his granddaughter who is beginning to understand why. Brimming with exuberance and color, this ode to trees of the world — and the vast knowledge of landscapers and gardeners — offers a feast for the eyes. Back matter includes an author’s note, glossary, and further information on the featured trees. This book is also available in Spanish: Verde Fresco (opens in a new window).

Ryan Hart loves her family and friends. She’s looking forward to summer vacation, spending time with loved ones, and her first trip to sleepaway camp! The Hart family is experiencing a lot of changes, and Ryan needs to grow her patience in many ways, find ways to share the love, meet new challenges, and grow into the leader her mom and dad named her to be. This summer and the start of fifth grade just might give Ryan the chance to show how she grows and glows! This is Book 2 in the Ryan Hart series.

Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And Jade has: every day she rides the bus away from her friends and to the private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities. But some opportunities she doesn’t really welcome and she’s tired of being singled out as someone who needs help, someone people want to fix. Jade wants to speak, to create, to express her joys and sorrows, her pain and her hope. Maybe there are some things she could show other women about understanding the world and finding ways to be real, to make a difference.

New Orleans is known as a place where hurricanes happen … but that’s just one side of the story. Children of New Orleans tell about their experiences of Hurricane Katrina through poignant and straightforward free verse in this fictional account of the storm. Books like this can help children contextualize and discuss difficult events.

All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father’s family in New York City — Harlem, to be exact. She can’t wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family and herself in new way. But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be.  As she explores, asks questions, and learns more and more about Harlem and about her father and his family history, she realizes how, in some ways more than others, she connects with him, her home, and her family.

When Oprah Winfrey was growing up, her family expected her to become a maid like her grandmother. But she had different dreams. She went after them and turned her dreams into reality, becoming a media superstar and inspiring countless other people along the way. A book in the She Persisted chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds.

Maggie’s stutter complicates her relationship with her father who wants to send her for “treatment.” Instead, Maggie will spend some time with her grandfather near Wildoak forest where she comes across a snow leopard abandoned by a wealthy Londoner. It is there she finds self-acceptance and a way to communicate for herself and the animal. Inspired by an era when exotic animals could be purchased from a London department store, this moving novel is unforgettable.    

Ever wonder what to do when it’s too rainy, too hot, or you just want to do something different? Ideas abound in this inspiring collection of activities for both indoors and outside. Some will require adult supervision; others are just right without. All are clearly presented in an easy to follow, illustrated format.

Jordan is on an 8th grade trip to Paris, an exciting prospect for an aspiring artist like Jordan. But the adventure with his friends takes unexpected, often humorous turns with a new adult chaperone. Jordan’s story which starts in New Kid, continues in Class Act is sure to engage young readers and remind adults of the pitfalls of adolescence.

Heroes are “curious, critical, and even uncertain in the face of adversity.” This was true of Claudette Colvin who planted a seed that started the Montgomery bus boycott. Her story is told from her point of view juxtaposed to the Rosa Parks, a lifelong activist. Cartoon illustrations and accessible language tell the story of how many people came together to effect change.

Harjo thinks of “a poem as a pocket or an envelope that can hold dreams, thoughts or anything else …”  Her sophisticated poem calls on us to “Remember the sky that you were born under,/know each of the star’s stories.” It is presented in lushly illustrated picture book format to reflect the indigenous stories from which they derive, calling on all to remember.

Maya is a talented girl who excels at both soccer and playing the flute. She loves both her sport and her music but must decide which to focus on in her increasingly complicated family life. Readers will root for Maya and cheer her on as they will likely see much of themselves in her story.

Sports for girls and boys haven’t always been treated in the same way. In fact, in 1975, the winning girls’ basketball team at Wilkins Regional High School couldn’t get court time at the school, had no uniforms, and no transportation to games. But continued success and a lot of bravery helped them achieve success, both on and off the court. This dramatic graphic novel was inspired by a true story

Dan was an awkward 8th grader who generally stayed quiet and rather unnoticed until an even more awkward school presentation. The boy’s self-confidence gradually grows during a weeks-long study trip to Paris. The graphic format is effective in presenting this often-humorous memoir and his sometimes uncomfortable memories. 

Two tweens are suspended for fighting in school. Their story is told in verse from two points of view: Ebony (aka Eb) and Flow (real name De’Kari). Their lives gradually unfold in readable free verse and as readers come to understand them, and both Eb and Flow begin to realize they share a lot in common, ultimately reaching détente in this plausible and moving novel.

The development of the atomic bomb during World War II first originally presented in the author’s book, Bomb, has been recast in a graphic format. Dramatically illustrated, the story in history comes vividly to life in a fresh and different way.

Dip in or start at the beginning to follow the trail to amazing, unique, and always intriguing tidbits of information about a world of animals. Silly and often laughable illustrations open the format for an open and appealing book.

What is wind? How does it help people and animals? Is there wind in space? These and other intriguing questions are asked then briefly answered on each briskly illustrated double page spread. Though there is no back matter, both author and illustrator thank authoritative sources.

Though a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, it creates life that is sustained for another 50 years. Illustrations evoke the deep water while introducing the various creatures that come to feed on the carcass over time. Additional information adds depth to the riveting exploration.

El Toro and his luchador buddies are short on money. It’s lunchtime and they’re hungry! How they earn it is revealed in frenetic illustrations and colorful language sprinkled with Spanish words. This latest addition to the series is every bit as much fun and sure to delight!