Last updated: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Allen, Judy. UNEXPLAINED. Kingfisher, 2006 Grades 6 and up

An in depth guide to bizarre phenomena that defy scientific explanation. An excellent reference book for middle/high school

Arnold, Nick and Tonu DeSaulles. THE STUNNING SCIENCE OF EVERYTHING. Scholastic, 2006. Grades 4-8

A gruesome and fun guided tour through the world of science with the squishy bits left in.

Aston, Dianna and Syliva Long. A SEED IS SLEEPY. Chronicle Books, 2007. Grades 1-4

Beautifully illustrated introduction to many kinds of seeds.

Becker, Bonny. HOLBROOK, A LIZARDS' TALE. Clarion Books, 2006. Grades 3-6

Not appreciated in his home town, Holbrook, a painter, sets off for the big city where he meets a variety of characters and finds himself trapped in a frightening world.

Buckley, Susan and Elspeth Leacock. KIDS MAKE HISTORY. Houghton-Mifflin, 2006. Grades 4-8

Accounts of children who have played important parts in many historical eras.

Deary, Terry and Martin Brown. THE WICKED HISTORY OF THE WORLD. Scholastic, 2006. Grades 4-8

The foul but fascinating history of humans from cannibal cavemen to terrified teenage soldiers in the 20th century...all in florious and goriest color!.

Fleming, Thomas. EVERYBODY'S REVOLUTION. Scholstic, 2006. Grades 4-8

A new (multicultural) look at the people who won America's freedom.

Florian, Douglas. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON AND MARS. Harcourt, 2007. Grades 4-6

Delightful space poems and paintings.

Freedman, Russell. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO. Illustated by Bagram Ibatouilline. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2006. Grades 5-8

Was Marco Polo the world's greatest explorer or biggest liaf? FInd out as you read the life of this extraordinary man.

Gourley, Catherine. WAR, WOMEN AND THE NEWS. Atheneum, 2007. Grades 5-8

Well researched account of the role of women journalists in time of war.

Hopkinson, Deborah. SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins. Peachtree, 2007. Grades 3-6

The story of Oscar Chapman and his role in arranging the Marian Anderson concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

Hughes, Ted. COLLECTED POEMS FOR CHILDREN. Illustated by Raymond Briggs. Farrar, 2007. Grades 2-6

Over 250 poems for children that Ted Hughes wrote throughout his life.

Johnson, Angela. WIND FLYERS. Illustated by Loren Long, Simon & Schuster, 2007. Grades 1-3

An account of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II as told through the life of one boy whose love of flight takes him to the skies of Europe.

Levine, Ellen. HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX. Illustated by Kadir Nelson. Scholastic, 2007. Grades 2-4

Henry, a young slave, mails himself to freedom

McCully, Emily Arnold. THE ESCAPE OF ONEY JUDGE. Farrar, 2007. Martha Washington's slave escapes to freedom.

Rappaport, Doreen. FREEDOM SHIP. Illustated by Curtis James. Hyperion, 2006. Grades 3-6

Samuel and his family are slaves who seek a way to get to the Union ships . They take their chances and risk it all to be free.

Thomas, Jane. BLIND MOUNTAIN. Clarion Books, 2006. Grades 4-6

Sam would rather be playing his guitar than proving himself to his dad during a dangerous mountain climb. When his father is injured it is only Sam's knowledge and skill that can save the day.

Weatherford, Carole. MOSES. Illustated by Kadir Nelson. Hyperion, 2006. Grades 2-4

The story of Harriet Tubman and her first trip in guiding slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Winter, Jonah. DIZZY. Illustated by Sean Qualls. Arthur A. Levine Books. 2006. Grades 2-4

The story of musician, Dizzy Oillespie, who broke the rules of music to create a unique sound.

Wise, Bill. WUIS SOCKALEXIS. Illustated by Bill Farnsworth. Lee & Low Books, 2007. Grades 3-6

In 1884 a Native Amrican, Louis Sockalexis, fell in love with baseball. Despite opposition from many he made his dream to join a major league team come true.