Book Finder

Tree Ear, a homeless orphan, longs to work as a potter, a respected but competitive employment — especially for a boy who lives under a bridge. Set in 12th century Korea, this Newbery Medal winning novel is as relevant as if it were taking place today. (2002 Newbery Medal Winner)

Yoon narrates the difficulty she experiences when her family moves to the United States from Korea. Her struggle with the transition focuses on the moment when she must learn to write her name in English rather than in Korean, and she remains resistant to learning a new language. Her imaginative voice is child-like and plausible, augmented by inventive illustrations.

A little girl gets ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in this gentle and stunningly illustrated book first published in South Korea. Excitement mounts as she details how she dresses for this engaging celebration with universal appeal.

Forced to leave the turmoil and political unrest of their native Vietnam, 13-year old Mai and her family cram into a boat and make way for Hong Kong and ultimately to America. Mai’s voice provides a necessary distance as she chronicles the journey and its horrors in with even tone.

American born Ami Chi is traveling to Vietnam, where the streets are crowded with scooters and the fruit are shaped like dragons and stars. Her parents still consider Vietnam home. But how can home be a place you’ve never been? She finds her answer in the green rice paddies that blanket the countryside, in the bustling Cho Lon market, and in the quiet rooms of her grandmother’s house. Vietnam may be nothing like America, but it feels strangely familiar. Before long, Ami Chi finds that you can travel very far and still find yourself at home.

Moon Shadow joins his father, traveling from China to San Francisco in the early 20th century. Together father and son confront harsh prejudice as well as kindness, and ultimately follow a dream to build a flying machine in this Newbery Honor novel.

Through a quiet text and a series of stunning images created from embroidered cloth, the author relates her family’s often harrowing journey from China to Laos to Thailand, ultimately settling in the United States. An afterward provides additional history and ethnology.

During World War II, Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps. Isolated and bored, baseball became a life and soul-saving pastime which successfully brought very different people together. Darkly hued illustrations evoke the difficulty of the time, based on the author’s family story. Spanish version available.

When their regular teacher is out, a seemingly forgetful substitute takes over for the day. But has Mr. Baker really lost the homework and his coat or is there a mystery afoot? Once again, Cam’s amazing memory and detecting skills are used successfully to solve the matter – and engage young readers.

Various birds appear with riddles asking readers to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to find the solutions. Rhymes engage readers while introducing word problems and are extended by the colorful illustrations.

Baseball great Satchel Paige was a successful pitcher in the Negro Leagues and went on to play in the Major Leagues for several teams. Stylized illustrations increase the Paige legend using exaggerated poses and unique perspective.

The life of the first President of the United States, George Washington, is presented in uncomplicated language and meticulous illustrations.

This introduction to the life and work of inventor, statesman and printer Benjamin Franklin is presented in straightforward text and detailed illustrations

While her father is away, Amy’s mother must get a job. But it’s not the usual kind of employment; Amy’s mom becomes a professional baseball player! Told from Amy’s perspective, historical detail of the World War II period is conveyed through an engaging narrative and stylized paintings.

Lighthearted illustrations help the straightforward text clarify a tough concept: fractions. Using things familiar to children, the hands-on activities illuminate the ideas while kids are having fun doing “pizza math” and weighing tissues and coins.

A theft occurs when the governor – a Presidential candidate escorted by the Secret Service – visits Cam’s school to dedicate the new library. Cam and her friend Eric set out to solve the mystery of the missing pearls, recognizing those who help along the way.

Jeffrey Bones narrates this easy-to-read mystery that begins with his preparation for his grandfather’s birthday celebration, introduces a lost present, and ultimately moves to a satisfying resolution. New readers will appreciate the textual and visual clues which allow them to solve the mystery along with young Bones.

Cam Jansen, girl detective with a photographic memory, uses a beach umbrella to find her mother again. But something is different when she and her friend, Eric, return. Readers will join Cam as she closely looks for clues and uses reasoning for the inevitable and satisfying reunion.

Life in a large family sometimes presents special challenges, such as preparing for a day at the beach. Everyone forgets something, so after many trips to retrieve everything — from Fido (the dog) to a favorite beach pail — a sudden storm prevents the trip — but not the fun!

When Emily’s mom is called to the office, their trip to the beach is canceled. But happily, Emily has a very special grandma who brings the beach to her. Delightfully frumpy characters are as engaging and recognizable as the situation.

A loving father takes his children, Alice and Baxter, to take a look at the ocean. But they soon realize their visit to the beach would be so much better with stuff they didn’t bring; and after all, and a trip back home will take only half an hour! After lots of back and forth travel, the panda family figures out how to have all the fun possible.

Ever noticed sea birds at the beach? There’s a quiet place on a Maine beach especially for least terns, an endangered bird whose survival is preserved by this retreat. Eye-catching, full-color photographs and informative text juxtapose children and tern beach behavior.