Synergy: Celebrating Food

FOOD is any nutritious matter that plants, animals, or people eat, drink, or absorb to sustain life. Food contains essential fat, protein, carbohydrates, or other nutrients. All living things need energy to grow, heal, and work.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

PIZZA, PICKLES, AND APPLE PIE: THE STORIES BEHIND THE FOODS WE LOVE by David Rickert explores the history of food. In addition to historical information, this engaging work of graphic nonfiction incorporates facts about science and nutrition along with fun, hands-on activities. ARC courtesy of Kane Press, an imprint of Astra Publishing House, Inc.

DAVID ATHERTON’S BAKING BOOK FOR KIDS: DELICIOUS RECIPES FOR BUDDING BAKERS written by David Atherton and illustrated by Harry Woodgate shares dozens of recipes for tasty treats including breads, cakes, cookies and sweet treats, pastries, and showstoppers. Along with step-by-step instructions, recipes provide ingredients and sometimes tips. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

LOOK AND COOK SNACKS: A FIRST BOOK OF RECIPES IN PICTURES by Valorie Fisher features a couple dozen easy-to-make recipes for children. After an introduction to cooking, this highly visual cookbook uses photographs and diagrams to present ingredients and procedures. ARC courtesy of Astra Young Readers, an imprint of Astra Publishing House, Inc.

Synergy: Celebrating Graphic Nonfiction

GRAPHIC NONFICTION are works of nonfiction expressed in a graphic-novel style. Sharing information and true stories, these books use sequential art and other highly visual approaches to communicate factual content.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

DRAWN TO CHANGE THE WORLD written by Emma Reynolds and illustrated by Emma Reynolds and Ann Maulana is a middle grade graphic biography exploring the experiences of a diverse group of sixteen youth climate activists. The book begins with an overview of climate change. Then, sixteen different artists use a graphic novel style to exploring the experiences of a diverse group of sixteen youth climate activists. Each story includes updated information about each activist. The book concludes with ideas for making a difference along with additional factual information about climate change. ARC courtesy of HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins.

RUN AND HIDE: HOW JEWISH YOUTH ESCAPED THE HOLOCAUST by Don Brown is a compelling, graphic history exploring the harrowing stories of children surviving the horrors of World War II. Told through Brown’s deeply moving visuals, these stories bring the plight of these children to life. ARC courtesy of Clarion Book, an imprint of HarperCollins.

I ESCAPED A CHINESE INTERNMENT CAMP written by Anthony Del Col and illustrated by Fahmida Azim received the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for illustrated reporting. Although written for an adult audience, young adults will find this work of graphic journalism thought-provoking. Based on interviews and testimony, readers explore the life of a woman arrested for simply being a Muslim. Enduring horrific atrocities, she ultimately escaped to America. ARC courtesy of Lev Gleason, an imprint of Diamond Books.

Synergy: Exploring World War II

WORLD WAR II was a global conflict between two military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. From 1939-1945, many of the world’s countries fought on land, sea, and air killing an estimated 70-80 million people. Civilian populations were particularly hard hit. Many people were held in prison camps around the world.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

SEEN AND UNSEEN: WHAT DOROTHEA LANGE, TOYO MIYATAKE, AND ANSEL ADAM’S PHOTOGRAPHS REVEAL ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION by Elizabeth Partridge and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki is an award-winning work of nonfiction sharing the power of photography. Told through a mixture of original drawings and historical photos, readers explore the heartbreaking stories of Japanese Americans living in incarceration camps during World War II. The visually rich book concludes with eighteen pages of additional information and resources. ARC country of Chronicle Books.

RACE AGAINST DEATH: THE GREATEST POW RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II by Deborah Hopkinson is a middle grade nonfiction narrative telling the story of an American POW rescue mission. Part of the “True Stories in Focus” collection, this fast-paced story follows US Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas who conduct the “Great Raid” to rescue American and Filipino prisoners. ARC courtesy of Scholastic Focus, an imprint of Scholastic.

IMPOSSIBLE ESCAPE: A TRUE STORY OF SURVIVAL AND HEROISM IN NAZI EUROPE by Steve Sheinkin shares the parallel stories of two Jewish friends trying to survive the Holocaust. While Rudi is attempting to escape from Auschwitz, Gerta is in hiding and risks capture in Hungary. This engaging nonfiction narrative brings two difference Holocaust experiences to life for teens readers. ARC courtesy of Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan.

WE ALSO SERVED by Erin McGill shares true stories of brave animals in the military along with other heroic tales. Designed for children, the brightly colored illustrations and short blocks of engaging text highlight the efforts of dogs and other animals who served on the front lines of World War II along with other eras. Each story concludes with a key word related to their service. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

Synergy: Celebrating Biographies

BIOGRAPHIES tell the true story of a person’s life. These stories may celebrate people who lived long ago, or have recently become known to the world. While biographies may explore the lives of famous people, they may also examine lesser-known individuals with unique stories.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

HOW DO YOU SPELL UNFAIR? MACNOLIA COX AND THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison tells the moving true story of a child who endured prejudice and discrimination to participate in the national spelling bee. Weaving in the use of thought-provoking “spelling words”, young readers will be riveted by the child’s real-world experience and challenge. ARC courtesy of Candlewick, and imprint of Penguin Random House.

THE LOBSTER LADY written by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs and illustrated by Jamie Hogan is picture book biography chronicling the daily life of a 102 year old lobster harvester. Along the way, the Lobster Lady shares memories of her life in Maine. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE WRAP THE WORLD: THE STORY OF TWO GROUNDBREAKING ENVIRONMENTAL ARTISTS written by G. Neri and illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle is a picture book telling the story of two innovative artistic collaborators who created innovative public art installations. Back matter includes additional information about the duo, an author’s note, resources, and interesting facts. ARC courtesy of Candlewick, and imprint of Penguin Random House.

THE VAN BUREN SISTERS VS. THE PANTS POLICE written by J.F. Fox with illustrated by Anna Kwan shares the inspiring true story of sisters who challenged traditional gender roles and traditions. In 1916, the Van Buren sisters traveled across America on motorbikes wearing leather pants and coats. A century later their descendants celebrated this accomplishment by re-creating their ride. This engaging picture book concludes with background information, a glossary, and sources. ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

Timely Take-aways for Life-long Learning: Bird Species

From eagles and hawks to pelicans and owls, several new works of nonfiction for adults examine the lives of specific bird species. Along the way, they discuss the importance of conservation and strategies being use to save these beloved species.

The Bald Eagle
Jack E. Davis, 2023, Liveright, an imprint of W. W. Norton
Themes: Nature, Animals, Birds, Eagles

This cultural and natural history of the bald eagle takes readers on a journey through time and across America. Of particularly note is how this comprehensive bird biography weaves the story of the eagle into our national narrative from science to politics across generations.

Take-aways: Packed with amazing anecdotes and inspirational stories, this fast-paced and often moving account of America’s beloved symbol provides endless examples teachers can use throughout the curriculum.

The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty
Sy Montgomery, 2022, Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: Nature, Animals, Birds, Hawk

Combining anecdotes from his personal experiences with hawks with fascinating insights into their life and behavior, Montgomery celebrates this magnificent predator through an engaging narrative and sixteen pages of color photographs.

Take-aways: Teachers will find useful examples about falconry and raptor behavior to weave into the life science curriculum.

Brown Pelican
Rien Fertel, 2022, Louisiana State University Press, Longleaf Services
Themes: Nature, Animals, Birds, Pelicans, Environmental Conservation

While exploring both the science and history of brown pelicans, Fertel places emphasis on on the connections between humans and this beloved bird.

Take-aways: Educators will find useful examples of effective and ineffective conservation efforts over time.

The Wise Hours: A Journal into the Wild and Secret World of Owls
Miriam Darlington, 2023, Tin House Books, an imprint of W. W. Norton
Themes: Nature, Animals, Birds, Owls

Sharing her fieldwork from around the world, this nature writer conveys her passion for owls and the natural world. Weaving together the story of her journey to understand owls with her personal challenges, the author creates a compelling narrative connecting our two worlds.

Take-aways: Science teachers will enjoy reading about the author’s encounters with a wide range of owls in the wild.

A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save our Vanishing Birds.
Anders Gyllenhaal & Beverly Gyllenhaal, 2023, Simon & Schuster
Themes: Nature, Animals, Birds

This fast-paced nonfiction narrative examines the quest to stop the collapse of bird species. The journalists share stories of rescue missions from mountains and plains to coastal areas across America.

Take-aways: The book demonstrates a wide range of strategies for addressing birds on the brink of extinction. Use these examples to inspire young scientists.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb