Lists and Suggestions for Kids
List: Nonfiction grades 2-3
A Place to Land
Wittenstein, Barry, author.
"The true story behind the writing of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" spe... More
"The true story behind the writing of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech."--Provided by publisher. Less
Are You Psychic?: facts, trivia, and quizzes
Olson, Elsie, 1986- author.
Also available on Hoopla. Play some games and find out if you are psychic. ... More
Also available on Hoopla. Play some games and find out if you are psychic. Less
Be Brave, Be Brave, Be Brave
Falcon, F. Anthony, author.
A man of Native American descent contemplates what lessons he will pass on to his newborn son in th... More
A man of Native American descent contemplates what lessons he will pass on to his newborn son in this heartfelt, expansive exploration of fatherhood, identity, and legacy. -- Less
Bone Collection: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
Colson, Rob, 1971- author.
A spectacular collection of skeletons from some of the world's most fascinating prehistoric an... More
A spectacular collection of skeletons from some of the world's most fascinating prehistoric animals. Find out how big a fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex's skull really was or see how an Iguanodon used its thumbs as a secret weapon! Prepare to be amazed by this incredible collection of brilliant bones from some truly astounding prehistoric creatures. Discover what their bones reveal about how they lived, and take a closer look at the creatures themselves. Less
Brave Ballerina: the story of Janet Collins
Meadows, Michelle, author.
Janet Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and 1940s, a time when racial segregation was wi... More
Janet Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and 1940s, a time when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. From her early childhood lessons to the height of her success as the first African-American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera, this is the story of a remarkable pioneer. Less
The Crayon Man : the true story of the invention of Crayola crayons
Biebow, Natascha, author.
"Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This gloriously illustrated picture book biogr... More
"Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This gloriously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved toys. A perfect fit among favorites like The Day the Crayons Quit and Balloons Over Broadway"-- Less
Hey, Water!
Portis, Antoinette, author, illustrator.
"Splashy illustrations and simple text explore water in its many shapes and forms"-- ... More
"Splashy illustrations and simple text explore water in its many shapes and forms"-- Less
How Emily Saved the Bridge: the story of Emily Warren Roebling and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge
Wishinsky, Frieda, author.
Also available on Hoopla. "An accessible, picture-book biography of Emily Warren Roebling. ... More
Also available on Hoopla. "An accessible, picture-book biography of Emily Warren Roebling. The Brooklyn Bridge, the iconic suspension bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, was completed in 1883. It is thanks to Emily Warren Roebling that the bridge was finished at all. Emily was not an engineer, but she was educated in math and science. She married Washington Roebling, the chief engineer of the famous bridge. When Washington became ill from decompression sickness, Emily stepped in, doing everything from keeping the books, to carrying messages for her husband, to monitoring the construction of the bridge. She was the first person to cross the Brooklyn Bridge when it opened."-- Less
If I Were a Park Ranger
Stier, Catherine, author.
Also available on Hoopla. "A group of kids imagine all the duties and responsibilities of U... More
Also available on Hoopla. "A group of kids imagine all the duties and responsibilities of U.S. National Park Rangers"-- Less
Karl's New Beak: 3-D printing builds a bird a better life
Nargi, Lela, author.
Karl is an Abyssinian ground hornbill with a special challenge. His lower bill had broken off and ma... More
Karl is an Abyssinian ground hornbill with a special challenge. His lower bill had broken off and made eating difficult. Karl did a great job of adapting and finding new ways to eat, but he wasn't getting all the food he needed. His zookeepers at the National Zoo and friends at the Smithsonian Institute wanted to help. Could an old bird skeleton and a 3-D printer give Karl a new beak? Karl's new adventure was about to begin! Less
The girl who Named Pluto : the story of Venetia Burney
McGinty, Alice B., 1963- author.
"When Venetia Burney's grandfather reads aloud from the newspaper about a new discovery--... More
"When Venetia Burney's grandfather reads aloud from the newspaper about a new discovery--a "ninth major planet" that has yet to be named--her eleven-year-old mind starts whirring. She is studying the planets in school and loves Roman mythology. "It might be called Pluto," she says, thinking of the dark underworld. Grandfather loves the idea and contacts his friend at London's Royal Astronomical Society, who writes to scientists at the Lowell Observatory in Massachusetts, where Pluto was discovered. After a vote, the scientists agree unanimously: Pluto is the perfect name for the dark, cold planet. Here is a picture book perfect for STEM units and for all children--particularly girls--who have ever dreamed of becoming a scientist."-- Less
Knut : how one little polar bear captivated the world
Hatkoff, Juliana.
True story of a polar bear cub raised by a bear keeper at Zoo Berlin. ... More
True story of a polar bear cub raised by a bear keeper at Zoo Berlin. Less
Look Again: secrets of animal camouflage
Jenkins, Steve, 1952- author, illustrator.
Introduces young readers to some of the stealthiest camouflaged animals in the natural world and ask... More
Introduces young readers to some of the stealthiest camouflaged animals in the natural world and asks them to seek out these animals hiding in plain sight. Less
Look! I Wrote a Book! (and you can too!)
Lloyd-Jones, Sally, 1960- author.
"Want to write a book? Well, the spunky, know-it-all narrator of this side-splitting story can ... More
"Want to write a book? Well, the spunky, know-it-all narrator of this side-splitting story can tell you just how to do it. Packed with her signature wit and charm, bestselling author Lloyd-Jones--with whimsical illustrations from beloved illustrator Layton--delivers an outrageously silly story that is sure to have young readers--and writers!--howling with laughter"-- Less
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the recycling women of the Gambia
Paul, Miranda, author.
Also available on Hoopla Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag brea... More
Also available on Hoopla Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. Less
Planting Stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré
Denise, Anika, author.
Also available on Hoopla. "From the author of MONSTER TRUCK and STARRING CARMEN comes a go... More
Also available on Hoopla. "From the author of MONSTER TRUCK and STARRING CARMEN comes a gorgeous and lyrical story about Pura Belpré, a Puerto Rican librarian who changed the world"-- Less
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & her family's fight for desegregation
Tonatiuh, Duncan, author.
Also available on Hoopla and Overdrive. "Years before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court rulin... More
Also available on Hoopla and Overdrive. "Years before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez, an eight-year-old girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, played an instrumental role in Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark desegregation case of 1946 in California"-- Less
The Spider
Gravel, Elise, author.
Part of a series of hilarious nonfiction about disgusting creatures, this book looks at the spider. ... More
Part of a series of hilarious nonfiction about disgusting creatures, this book looks at the spider. It covers such topics as the spider's habitats (pretty much everywhere but outer space), the silk it spins (it can trap prey and makes a nifty bowtie), and its parenting practice (female spiders carry around their eggs in a silk purse). Although silly and off-the-wall,The Spider contains real information that will both amuse and teach. Less
Wilma's Way Home : the life of Wilma Mankiller
Rappaport, Doreen, author.
"A picturebook biography of Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation.&qu... More
"A picturebook biography of Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation."--Provided by publisher. Less
The Worm
Gravel, Elise.
Shares information on the earthworm with graphic illustrations and fact-filled text that traces its ... More
Shares information on the earthworm with graphic illustrations and fact-filled text that traces its extensive history as well as its habitats, anatomy, and behaviors. In addition to the visual gags, the author includes basic facts about the creepers, such as their ability to sense light without eyes, the manner in which they get around, and the food they like to eat. Less