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Yogi Berra was one of a kind. He didn’t excel in school but is still quoted today. And in spite of the naysayers, Yogi went on to become an admired ballplayer. His story is told in rich, detailed illustrations and lucid text, interspersed with “Yogi-isms”. In addition to more detail about Berra’s life and times, baseball aficionados will appreciate the statistics included in the back matter.

Velma Bronn Johnson, nicknamed Wild Horse Annie, was born in Nevada. In spite of having polio, Annie was able to ride horses again. Later, when she saw hundreds of wild horses killed to make room for cattle, Annie became an activist. She worked to pass the 1971 law protecting mustangs on federal land. Conversational text is accompanied by loose, swirling illustrations to present an overview of one woman’s fight to save a piece of the Wild West.

A young soldier narrates the story of how he met a podgy pudgy dog soon named Stubby. Stubby and Corporal Conroy soon became inseparable friends and more; Stubby was adopted into Conroy’s regiment to become a heroic soldier in his own right. This true story of World War I is illustrated in light hues with gentle lines, accompanied by a straightforward text. An afterward includes a photo of Stubby and provides a bit of additional information.

Emily Warren was a bright girl who grew into a determined, intelligent, self-taught woman. After her husband, Washington Roebling, fell ill while building the Brooklyn Bridge, it was Emily who interpreted Washington’s drawings and carried out the plans over ten years. This is a fascinating examination of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and the people and engineering behind it, revealed in spritely illustration and accessible language.

You may not have heard of Edwin Binney but chances are you’ve used his invention: Crayola crayons. Binney’s determination to come up with ways for children to create and draw with non-dusty color led to the invention. His life and legacy (and even how the name Crayola was crafted) makes a memorable story. Illustrated in color and brought right up to contemporary crayon making, this is a fascinating and well documented look at one man’s continuing legacy.

An African American ballerina, Janet Collins, lived in mid-20^th century America. She is introduced in a rhyming, repetitive cadence and fluid, swirling illustrations. Janet never gave up her dream of dancing even in a segregated society. An afterward not only provides additional resources about this early ballerina but also additional information about her life and legacy.

This poem is a love letter to black life in the U.S. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, and Gwendolyn Brooks. Robust back matter provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.

Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something big to help. His teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troop, and when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.

Born in England in the early 19^th century, Anna was encouraged by her father to observe, study, and document the natural world. Together, they also experimented with light as a way to photograph and record her botanic specimens. Unfortunately, none of the photographs exist today as the “prints faded over time, like memories.” Later she created books using cyanotype (known today as sun prints). Lush but muted illustrations in blues and white evoke the period and this scientist’s work. Additional resources are included.

Though Eleanor Roosevelt was born into privilege, she developed a keen sense of justice and fairness. In a highly readable narration, Eleanor’s life is presented, enhanced by photographs and primary sources. Also included are a timeline and bibliography.

From a very young age, Barbara Jordan had a voice that stood out. The repeated refrain, “what can you do with a voice like that?” is answered as Jordan grows personally and politically. Even after retiring from the U.S. Congress, Jordan continued to use her voice to educate and inspire. Handsomely illustrated, this brief but informative look at the impact of one woman is highly readable. Additional resources are included.  

Michelle Obama is revealed here through the lens of her official White House photographer and a brief but informative text. Obama’s verve and interests are evident throughout this lively book. For preschoolers, Alison Oliver’s board book, Michele Obama (opens in a new window), can inspire parents to talk with young children about how to “be inspirational” while remaining true to one’s self.

Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s life and accomplishments come into focus through letters written to an imagined-yet-unborn great granddaughter. Eliza’s insights go beyond that of her famous husband, Alexander (about whom additional material is included at the end). Handsome illustrations evoke a 19^th century style and period.

The women in Senator Gillibrand’s family inspired this examination of those active in the women’s suffrage movement from the late 19^th to early 20^th century. Some like Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman are well known. Others such as Inez Mulholland and Lucy Burns are lesser known. Together, these portraits present an accessible look at early activists. Stylized illustrations enhance the presentation.

She was a composer, an instrumentalist, the wife of a man whose name would become synonymous with jazz, and basically a woman before her time. Generous illustrations evoke the period in with Lil lived just as her story in verse suggests her musical talent. Readers will enjoy meeting this fascinating woman. Timeline, additional resources, and documentation are included.

Are you ready to go behind the scenes of our amazing sanitation system? From the history of toilets to the mystery of tap water, each book reveals what goes on after the flush and after the trash has been taken out.

Visiting her grandmother in Louisiana, Maddy realizes she may be only the sibling to carry on her family’s magical legacy. And when a disastrous oil leak threatens the bayou, she knows she may also be the only one who can help. A coming-of-age tale rich with folk magic. See the two other two books in the Louisiana Girls Trilogy, Ninth Ward (opens in a new window) and Sugar (opens in a new window).

Through the curious, joyful eyes of 10-year-old Sugar, readers experience life on a Louisiana sugar plantation after Emancipation. Issues arise when Chinese workers are brought in to help harvest the cane. Sugar soon realizes that she must be the one to bridge the cultural gap and bring the community together. See the two other two books in the Louisiana Girls Trilogy, Ninth Ward (opens in a new window) and Bayou Magic (opens in a new window).

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community. Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett takes Jerome on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life.

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Dèja can’t help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. A story about young people who weren’t alive to witness 9/11, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day.

Weather forecasters didn’t expect much from a storm that approached New York City in 1888 so they left for the day. What became a devastating blizzard is presented here in vivid detail with period photographs and riveting narrative. Contemporary readers will recognize many of the changes that were put in place because of this powerful storm.

Meet a young Zora Neale Huston through the eyes of her best friend Carrie Brown. They are in the African American town of Eatonville, Florida, in 1903. Two time periods converge when the Westin of 1855 results in an old mystery solved and a town saved in this fast-paced novel.

A large and diverse group of writers and visual artists present a range of art and writing to encourage young people to use their voices. From essays to poems, from collage to photographs, this handsome volume is sure to inspire as it introduces readers to different forms of expression.

Sophisticated art portrays a haunting, bigger-than-life Sojourner Truth. When combined with a moving narrative, the result is a unique portrait of Sojourner Truth’s life. A biographical note and sources are included.