Book Finder

This episode details the time when Benjamin Franklin was in France and how he explained the mysterious cures proffered by Dr. Franz Mesmer. The light touch in a format reminiscent of a graphic novel makes the snippet of history accessible and appealing. Source notes complete the book.

Delphine is now twelve years old in this third (and final book) about her, and her younger sisters. The girls are sent to Alabama where they are supposed to come to know their grandmother, great grandmother, and other family members. Instead, the girls are caught up in a family feud and learn that adults, too, have issues. Things change radically when Vonetta goes missing during a tornado. Family history and sibling loyalty are strong themes in this engaging conclusion. 

It’s 1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. This coming-of-age story is populated by a cast of vivid family characters and it explores the things that tear them apart and the things that bring them back together. The book includes an Author’s Note with photographs and additional background on World War II, Internment camps, and 1950s America.

Twelve-year-old tomboy May Amelia Jackson, the youngest of seven children and the only girl in a Finnish immigrant family, lives in the wilderness along the Nasel River in Washington State in 1899. Through May Amelia’s travels, readers witness the diverse ways of life in the expanding West: peaceful relations with the Chinook Indians, the dangers posed by the neighboring logging camp, her aunt’s life in the nearby boomtown of Astoria, Oregon, as well as the rhythms of the seasons.

Orphaned at birth, Lanesha has second sight, giving her the ability to see her mother’s ghost. She also senses an impending storm which will devastate New Orleans and that her grandmother won’t survive. How Lanesha stays alive and the people she meets and helps along the way — plus a bit of magic realism — create a compelling read. See the two other two books in the Louisiana Girls Trilogy, Bayou Magic (opens in a new window) and Sugar (opens in a new window).

Cornelius Washington was proud of his hometown, New Orleans. His job as a sanitation worker was important before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city but became even more important after when Cornelius worked with others to help restore it. Textured illustrations and a hope-filled narrative combine fact with fiction for a moving look at a catastrophic event.

Linda Blackmon was the youngest person to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement. An informal tone in an open, heavily illustrated format provides insight into the time and events, sure to spark discussion among readers.

In the early 20th century, an Irish woman named Mary Mallon worked as a cook. The New York home in which she operated was struck with typhoid fever to become the first of many incidents. The story of the cook who became known as Typhoid Mary is presented as a medical mystery which introduces the time and its history in a riveting narrative.

A poetic form called the “clerihews” was established in 1890. It’s the short form used to briefly present presidential factoids that are sometimes irreverent but always humorous and based in fact. Each four-line poem is accompanied by a black and while line caricature of the president to magnify the humor.

In 1924, four biplanes from the United States were the first to circumnavigate the world. The journey is presented through well-researched narrative in a handsome format and highly illustrated with maps, period graphics, and photographs. The epilogue concludes the amazing trip where it started — in Seattle, Washington — where a memorial to the flyers remains.

Jack and Annie are transported back to Normandy, France, when Europe is in danger of falling to the Germans and the D-Day invasion is about to begin. Though necessarily simplified, this adventure gives an age appropriate introduction to WWII. “Track the Facts” concludes this “super edition” of the popular Magic Tree House series.

Learn tidbits of information about our 16th President, the times in which he lived and more. Brief entries for each letter of the alphabet present Lincoln the man and the president. Detailed illustrations are both informative and humorous.

A girl explains how her family once hunted whales but now use their family-owned boat to take tourists out to whale watch. Illustrations in color show the contemporary narrator and boat, while sepia-toned images depict the history. Interesting bits of African American history are embedded in this engaging, educational, and accessible story.

Could one of Gilbert Stuart’s 12 children get President George Washington to smile while having his portrait painted? In this richly imagined, humorous fictional account of what the president experienced while sitting for his portrait in Stuart’s home is revealed through a lively correspondence and expressive line and wash illustrations.

Girls didn’t always have the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. This is certainly true for Callie Tate, the only girl in her family. How she follows her interests and deals with not being taken seriously is revealed in rich, well-paced language. Callie’s story started in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate though both books can be read without the other. Both will appeal to sophisticated readers.

Well-known figures in American history are presented by diverse poets in a range of styles, pictured in folk art style portraits. 

Work by both well and lesser-known poets is presented by subject for an inspiring glimpse of American history as well as varied styles of poetry complemented by bold illustrations.

An introduction presents an overview of the collection’s unique perspective: poetry from different historical periods connected by poems about objects. A range of poets and places are presented, each illustrated by loose watercolor illustrations. An opening poem by Eloise Greenfield entitled “Things” provides a lively start to this appealing collection.

The First World War comes into gritty focus through battles fought and the world changes it brought about. Photographs and other primary source material make this a riveting, sophisticated look at an impactful period in world history.

From a shy child, Eleanor grew up to be an activist and a quietly powerful First Lady. Her life is chronicled in an understandable, well documented narrative complemented by an array of photographs. This is a solid companion to Freedman’s biography of Eleanor’s husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (opens in a new window).

Martha Graham was tenacious; she was a dancer with a vision who left her mark on the modern American dance. Her life and art combine in this highly readable biography revealed through photographs and narrative which incorporates interviews with those who knew her.

Powerful portraits of six Indian leaders of western tribes are presented in a handsome volume. Photographic portraits and other visuals from the period enhance the well-documented, highly readable biographies of well and lesser known chiefs.

Fifty years ago well-known civil rights leaders came together with other lesser known but key individuals in Selma, Alabama. Events leading to breaking down the barriers to voting rights for African Americans are detailed through strong images and moving, well-documented narrative.

Abraham Lincoln comes to life as a leader, a husband and a father in this enthralling account of his life and the times in which he lived. Lincoln’s writing and other primary sources are seamlessly incorporated along with telling photographs.