Lists and Suggestions for Kids
List: Notable Nonfiction Grades 4-6
Animal Stories: heartwarming true tales from the animal kingdom
Yolen, Jane, author.
Presents a collection of true animal stories from different historical periods, including the tales ... More
Presents a collection of true animal stories from different historical periods, including the tales of Balto the Alaskan sled dog, Smoky the Bear, and Internet sensation Christian the lion. Less
Brothers at Bat: the true story of an amazing all-brother baseball team
Vernick, Audrey.
Also available on Hoopla. Documents the story of the Baseball Hall of Fame honorees, tracing how ... More
Also available on Hoopla. Documents the story of the Baseball Hall of Fame honorees, tracing how the Acerra family of New Jersey formed their own semi-pro baseball team in the 1930s and became the longest-running all-brother team in history. Less
Cutting-edge 3D Printing
Kenney, Karen Latchana, author.
Also available on Hoopla. What if people could make toys, foods, or even body parts using a comp... More
Also available on Hoopla. What if people could make toys, foods, or even body parts using a computer printer? They can! Modern programmers and scientists have figured out a way to make three-dimensional versions of almost anything they can design on a computer. This title covers the latest, greatest advances in 3D printing, from how it works to how it's used in homes, schools, and workplaces. Accessible language, up-to-date photos, and a high-interest STEM topic make this a great choice for eager and reluctant readers alike. Less
Fearless and Fantastic!: female super heroes save the world
Maggs, Sam, author.
"Meet the amazing Marvel Super Heroes who use their powers to help others and save the day. How... More
"Meet the amazing Marvel Super Heroes who use their powers to help others and save the day. How does superstar pilot and space explorer Captain Marvel protect Earth from alien threats? Why did genius inventor Moon Girl form a crime-fighting duo with a T. rex named Devil Dinosaur? And how did Gamora become the deadliest woman in the galaxy? Discover the amazing stories of all these female heroes and many more, including Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman, Squirrel Girl, Shuri, Quake, Black Widow, America Chavez, and Storm."-- Less
Five-minute True Stories: animal BFFs
Andrus, Aubre, author.
A collection of twelve true animal friendship stories includes the tales of Leroy the Clydesdale and... More
A collection of twelve true animal friendship stories includes the tales of Leroy the Clydesdale and his Chihuahua buddy Berry and orphaned fawn Bambi and his meadow companion Ben the rabbit. Less
Handle with Care: an unusual butterfly journey
Burns, Loree Griffin.
Also available on Hoopla Introduces readers to a butterfly farm in Costa Rica. ... More
Also available on Hoopla Introduces readers to a butterfly farm in Costa Rica. Less
Insect Superpowers: 18 real bugs that smash, zap, hypnotize, sting, and devour!
Messner, Kate, author.
Also available on Overdrive and Hoopla. "A book of insects, with a focus on their 'sup... More
Also available on Overdrive and Hoopla. "A book of insects, with a focus on their 'super powers'--their extraordinary and very real abilities--and an art/design style that evokes comic-book-hero-and-villain awesomeness. The book will include profiles of the animals and their powers, mixed with spreads that compare, contrast, and pit the insects against each other in a kind of 'who would win??' action format. Head-to-head combat! Astounding weapons and abilities! Awesomeness! Plus: science."-- Less
Mysterious Disappearances
Walker, Kevin (Author at Rourke Educational Media), author.
Also available on Hoopla. Readers will explore people and places throughout history that have be... More
Also available on Hoopla. Readers will explore people and places throughout history that have been involved with sudden, mysterious disappearances. Less
The Perfect Horse: the daring rescue of horses kidnapped by Hitler
Letts, Elizabeth, author.
American soldiers, aided by an Austrian colonel who was both an Olympian and a trainer of Lipizzaner... More
American soldiers, aided by an Austrian colonel who was both an Olympian and a trainer of Lipizzaners, attempt to kidnap horses that had been taken by Nazis "for the glorification of the Third Reich" and smuggle them to safety. Less
She Persisted: 13 American women who changed the world
Clinton, Chelsea, author.
Also available on Overdrive. Profiles the lives of thirteen American women who have left their ma... More
Also available on Overdrive. Profiles the lives of thirteen American women who have left their mark on U.S. history, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Margaret Chase Smith, and Oprah Winfrey. Less
The Poison Eaters: fighting danger and fraud in our food and drugs
Jarrow, Gail, author.
"Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, clea... More
"Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars. Often products weren't safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled food or harmful medicines. Chemist Harvey Washington Wiley recognized these dangers and began a relentless thirty-year campaign to ensure that consumers could purchase safe food and drugs, eventually leading to the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. Acclaimed nonfiction and Sibert Honor winning author Gail Jarrow uncovers this intriguing history in her trademark style that makes the past enthrallingly relevant for today's young readers"-- Less
This Promise of Change: one girl's story in the fight for school equality
Boyce, Jo Ann Allen, author.
Also available on Overdrive. "In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Ro... More
Also available on Overdrive. "In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee. At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Uneasiness turned into anger, and even the Clinton Twelve themselves wondered if the easier thing to do would be to go back to their old school. Jo Ann--clear-eyed, practical, tolerant, and popular among both black and white students--found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen? This is the heartbreaking and relatable story of her four months thrust into the national spotlight and as a trailblazer in history. Based on original research and interviews and featuring backmatter with archival materials and notes from the authors on the co-writing process"-- Less
Science You Can Eat
Gates, Stefan, author.
Explores the science behind food, nutrition, and cooking. Includes twenty experiments for young read... More
Explores the science behind food, nutrition, and cooking. Includes twenty experiments for young readers to further understand the science at home. Less
Struttin' with Some Barbecue: Lil Hardin Armstrong becomes the first lady of jazz
Powell, Patricia Hruby, 1951- author.
"This is the true story of Lil Hardin Armstrong: pianist, composer, and bandleader in the early... More
"This is the true story of Lil Hardin Armstrong: pianist, composer, and bandleader in the early days of jazz. Ahead of her time, Lil made a career for herself--and for Louis Armstrong, her modest, unassuming husband ... Scat-inspired verse celebrates how Lil overcame race and gender barriers to become the first lady of the Chicago jazz scene"--Publisher marketing. Less
When Plants Attack: strange and terrifying plants
Hirsch, Rebecca E., author.
Also available on Hoopla. Introduces the reader to stinging plants, poisonous plants and plants ... More
Also available on Hoopla. Introduces the reader to stinging plants, poisonous plants and plants that eat animals. Less
The Young Adventurer's Guide to (almost) Everything: build a fort, camp like a champ, poop in the woods--45 action-packed outdoor activities
Hewitt, Ben, 1971- author.
"Once upon a time, kids learned the most amazing and unusual things. They learned how to shelte... More
"Once upon a time, kids learned the most amazing and unusual things. They learned how to shelter and clothe themselves, how to use a knife and hatchet, how to build a fire, tie knots, and read a compass. They learned how to spend a comfortable night in the forest without a nylon tent from REI. The Young Adventurer's Guide will teach kids everything from how to walk like a fox and see like an owl to use the stars as their own personal GPS and even how to build the world's coolest fort out of foraged sticks. This handbook for curious kids will empower them to explore the natural world and even the comfort of their own backyard through a whole new set of skills. Featuring 65 different skills in sections that include: Secrets of the Woods, The Best Camping Trip, Make Cool Stuff That's Actually Useful and Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary"-- Less
You are Awesome
Syed, Matthew, author.
"I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams ... Sound... More
"I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams ... Sound familiar? If you believe you can't do something, the chances are you won't try. But what if you really could get better at maths, or sport or exams? In fact, what if you could excel at anything you put your mind to? You Are Awesome can help you do just that, inspiring and empowering young readers to find the confidence to realise their potential."--Amazon.com. Less