Henry’s Freedom Box
This beautifully illustrated story shines a light on the human cost of slavery by following the life of Henry Brown—his early life as a slave, the tragedy of losing his wife and children through the slave trade, the risk of seeking his freedom, and more.
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Grade Range: K - 5
Currents
Author Jane Smolik tells a tale of three girls whose lives are connected, even though they never meet. Each girl struggles with adversity dealt by an authority figure that directly impacts her daily life in the 1850s.
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Grade Range: 4 - 7
Farewell to Manzanar
Author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and her family lost their home and most of their possessions when the United States was thrust into the Second World War, simply because they were Japanese Americans.
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Grade Range: 7 - 12
The Distance Between Us
In this Young Readers Edition, Reyna Grande shares memories of her childhood in Mexico, her family’s journey to “El Otro Lado” (literally, “The Other Side”—figuratively, the United States), growing up as an undocumented teen.
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Grade Range: 5 - 9
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver
In this picture book biography, author and illustrator Aliki shares the story of George Washington Carver, a man born a slave who, through the kindness of others, has the opportunity to learn about the world around him and eventually go to school.
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Grade Range: K - 3
Esperanza Rising
Inspired by the true story of her maternal grandmother’s riches-to-rags story, Pam Muñoz Ryan spins the tale of Esperanza Ortega, a privileged Mexican landowner’s daughter whose life takes a drastic turn just prior to her thirteenth birthday.
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Grade Range: 3 - 6
The 57 Bus
Dashka Slater, news journalist for Newsweek, Mother Jones, and The New York Magazine, ties together the actual events of the two teens’ lives whose only real connection was an Oakland transit bus.
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Grade Range: 7 - 12
Refugee
Alan Gratz braids together the stories of three older children and their families as they struggle to escape the only world they have ever known and journey to what they hope to be a new forever home. Real, life-threatening dangers pursue each.
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Grade Range: 5 - 9
Buffalo Dance The Journey of York
Frank X Walker learned about York, and his contributions to the Lewis and Clark expedition while attending Hasan Davis’ Chautauqua presentation as part of the expedition’s bicentennial celebration. Walker set out to give voice to York through 57 poems.
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Grade Range: 10 - 12
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom
Lynda Blackmon Lowery shares her story of the historic civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, first with history collaborators Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley, and in turn with the world.
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Grade Range: 6 - 12
The Journey of York The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
After portraying York as part of the National Park Service’s Living History Chautauqua event for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Hasan Davis gave York a voice in print.
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Grade Range: 2 - 5
Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still
Karlin Gray shares the story behind Nadia Comaneci’s journey to make Olympic history. This motivational story shows how a very active young girl was able to channel that energy through the sport of gymnastics.
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Grade Range: K - 4
A Year Down Yonder
Richard Peck, drawing the setting from his family’s hometown and farmhouse, transports readers back in time to the Great Depression. In his earlier text, A Long Way from Chicago, Mary Alice and her brother Joey travel by train to the south.
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Grade Range: 6 - 8
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Inspired by a 1930 documentary of Admiral Richard Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole, Richard Atwater wrote this endearing tale of a midwest, small town painter and his family who receive a penguin as a gift.
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Grade Range: 3 - 5
Malala’s Magic Pencil
International education activist, Malala Yousafzai, tells her own story and journey of empowerment. She describes her life in Pakistan and how the Pakistani Taliban tried to silence her, without sharing violent details.
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Grade Range: K - 3
A Long Way from Chicago
Author Richard Peck, drawing the setting from his own family’s hometown and farmhouse, journeys the reader back through a time in America’s history of prosperity, the Great Depression, and into World War II.
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Grade Range: 6 - 8
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Judy Blume offers a glimpse into the life of fourth grader Peter Hatcher. Ten hilarious tales introduce the reader to his family and friends, his pets, and two of his father’s clients. Trouble-causing little brother, Fudge, brings humor to Peter’s tales.
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Grade Range: 3 - 5
Around the World Right Now
A beautifully illustrated story lifts reader/listener from one time zone to the next, visiting a significant landmark in most of the 24 time zones. As the time travel continues, the reader/listener is transported to every continent.
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Grade Range: K - 2
American Born Chinese
In this graphic novel, Gene Luen Yang, author and illustrator, weaves together the stories of Jin Wang, the American born son of Chinese immigrants; a modified version of the Monkey King; and the story of “Danny” and cousin Chin-Kee.
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Grade Range: 7 - 12
Keep On! The Story of Matthew Henson Co-Discoverer of the North Pole
Shortly after the War Between the States, opportunities for African Americans were extremely limited. Despite this, Matthew Henson dreamed of adventure and a chance meeting with Admiral Peary lead to Matt becoming Peary’s assistant.
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Grade Range: 1 - 5
Harriet the Spy
Louise Fitzhugh’s book turned the children’s literary world on end by breaking gender stereotypes and touching on the topics of bullying, family dynamics, and just being different. Harriet records her thoughts about the people in her world.
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Grade Range: 4 - 7
Every Single Second
Tricia Springstubb communicates the array of emotions and expectations of twelve-year-old Nella as she encounters the struggles of growing up in a large family, the revelation of a tragic family secret, and more.
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Grade Range: 4 - 8
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles
In lively fashion, Mara Rockliff shares the true story of Alice Burke and Nell Richardson as they journey across the United States in an attempt to persuade the public that women should have the right to vote.
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Grade Range: K - 3
Lost and Found Cat, the True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey
This picture book, by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes and illustrated by Sue Cornelison, is the incredible true story of a cat who was separated from his family while escaping the war in Iraq in 2015.
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Grade Range: K - 3
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
David Adler shares the fascinating life and deeds of Harriet Tubman set in the historical context of the Abolitionist movement and the Civil War.
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Grade Range: 5 - 9
Blue Sky White Stars
This almost wordless picture book Blue Sky White Stars, written by Sarvinder Naberhaus and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, celebrates the United States' heritage as reflected in the colors of the American flag.
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Grade Range: K - 3
Whirligig
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman is a journey of penance and redemption for seventeen-year-old Brent Bishop told non-linearly through multiple narrators...
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Grade Range: 7 - 10
If You Lived Here, Houses of the World
Take a trip around the world and through history visiting the homes of various peoples and cultures in this amazing picture book. Giles Laroche bas-relief, cut-paper collages illustrate typical dwellings...
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Grade Range: 1 - 4
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Claudia and her brother James run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, someplace comfortable and lovely. After they take up residence in the museum...
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Grade Range: 4 - 8
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
This fantasy adventure tells of the travels of Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, who is the favorite toy of Abilene. Told from Edward’s point of view, the story follows Edward from his comfortable life to the mishap that sends him overboard the Queen Mary...
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Grade Range: 3 - 5