National Poetry Month: Novels in Verse

April 1, 2017 | jonesw

National Poetry Month is celebrated across the world in the month of April. Not sure where to start with poetry? Try a novel in verse! Like a traditional novel, these books tell a complete story, but they use the verse style of poetry. Check out the call number 811.54 for traditional volumes of poetry. 

And we stay by Jenny Hubbard

Sent to an Amherst, Massachusetts, boarding school after her ex-boyfriend shoots himself, seventeen-year-old Emily expresses herself through poetry as she relives their relationship, copes with her guilt, and begins to heal.

Ask me how I got here by Christine Heppermann

Addie struggles with depression when she becomes pregnant and makes the difficult choice to have an abortion.

YA Fiction Around the World and Back

April 1, 2017 | jonesw

Check out one of the following YA titles to discover a different culture, or perhaps find a reflection of your own experiences.

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Culture: Native American

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

A big dose of lucky by Marthe Jocelyn

Culture: Canadian Aboriginal

Malou has just turned sixteen—hardly old enough to be out in the world on her own—and all she knows for sure is that she’s mixed-race and that she was left at an orphanage as a newborn. Beyond that, it’s a mystery—a mystery that takes her to the little town of Parry Sound, where she finds lots of young brown faces like hers. Are these her relatives, and why doesn’t anyone want to talk about it?

Fearless Females in Teen Fiction

March 16, 2017 | jonesw

March is Women's History Month! Dive into a novel about young women living fearlessly throughout history. 

Audacity by Melanie Crowder

"A historical fiction novel in verse detailing the life of Clara Lemlich and her struggle for women's labor rights in the early 20th century in New York."--.

Black dove, white raven by Elizabeth Wein

Having moved to Ethiopia to avoid the prejudices of 1930s America, Emilia Menotti, her black adoptive brother Teo, and their mother Rhoda, a stunt pilot, are devoted to their new country even after war with Italy looms, drawing the teens into the conflict.

Celebrate Women's History Month: Artists and Writers

March 8, 2017 | jonesw

March is Women's History Month! Celebrate by reading about real-life women who accomplished great things in the arts.

13 women artists children should know by Bettina Schümann

Introduces the lives and artistic styles of thirteen women artists from Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola through such modern artists as Frida Kahlo, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Cindy Sherman.

Agatha Christie by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Celebrate Women’s History Month: Scientists and Inventors

March 2, 2017 | jonesw

March is Women's History Month! Celebrate by reading about real-life women who accomplished great things in science, math, engineering, and medicine.

Ada Lovelace, poet of science : the first computer programmer by Diane Stanley

"A fascinating look at Ada Lovelace, the pioneering computer programmer and the daughter of the poet Lord Byron." --.

The elephant scientist by Caitlin O'Connell

Photographs and text recount Caitlin O'Connell's experiences observing African elephants in their natural habitat, describing the discoveries she made about elephant communication.

Celebrate Women's History Month: The Right To Vote

March 1, 2017 | jonesw

Did you know that the 19th Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote, wasn't passed until 1920? Read about the journey to women's suffrage in one of the following titles. 

Elizabeth leads the way : Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the right to vote by Tanya Lee Stone
Elizabeth started all the trouble by Doreen Rappaport

Chronicles the history of women's suffrage, highlighting the contributions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and such other reformers as Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone.

From Another Land: Refugee and Immigrant Stories

February 8, 2017 | jonesw
Brothers in hope : the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams

Eight-year-old Garang, orphaned by a civil war in Sudan, finds the inner strength to help lead other boys as they trek hundreds of miles seeking safety in Ethiopia, then Kenya, and finally in the United States.

Carmen learns English by Judy Cox

Newly-arrived in the United States from Mexico, Carmen is apprehensive about going to school and learning English.

Celebrate Black History Month: Historical Figures and Civil Rights Heroes

February 3, 2017 | jonesw

The month of February is Black History Month in the United States. Check out a biography about a black historical figure or civil rights hero to learn more about their lives.

Ain't nothing but a man : my quest to find the real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson
Answering the cry for freedom : stories of African Americans and the American Revolution by Gretchen Woelfle

Biographical sketches chronicle the contributions of enslaved and free blacks during the Revolutionary War, including Prince Hall, who organized the first branch of black Freemasons, and Richard Allen, who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Celebrate Black History Month: Inventors and Innovators

February 3, 2017 | jonesw

The month of February is Black History Month in the United States. Check out a biography about a famous black inventor or scientist and learn how their contributions have changed the way we live.

All aboard! : Elijah McCoy's steam engine by Monica Kulling

Simple text and illustrations explore the life of African Canadian inventor Elijah McCoy.

Astrophysicist and space advocate Neil deGrasse Tyson by Marne Ventura

Presents the life of the astrophysicist, including his childhood in the Bronx, his academic career, and his status as a scientific expert.

Celebrate Black History Month: Athletes

February 3, 2017 | jonesw

The month of February is Black History Month in the United States. Check out a biography about a famous black athlete to learn more about their lives.

Ali : an American champion by Barry Denenberg

Puts the famous boxer in to historical context through the use of newspaper articles, interviews, opinion pieces, and photographs.

Day by day with Serena Williams by Tammy Gagne

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