Book Talk Tuesday: Books for Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month!  To learn more about some of the amazing, inspiring, awesome women who helped shape history, check out one of these great books:

Earhart developed a love of flying at a very young age...and she wasn't about to let any man get in the way of her dreams. What began as a simple joy became something much deeper — a commitment to open doors for all women.

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?

A dramatic collection of 25 compelling tales from the female African American storytelling tradition. Each story focuses on the role of women--both real and fantastic--and their particular strengths, joys and sorrows.

Filled to the brim with words and pictures that celebrate the remarkable (although often unmarked) achievements of American women, this is a book to relish and to read again and again. Mothers, daughters, schoolchildren, generations of families -- everyone -- will take Abigail Adams's words to heart and "remember the ladies" once they read the stories of these astonishing, astounding, amazing American women.

A biography of the 15th-century peasant girl who led a French army to victory against the English, witnessed the crowning of King Charles VII, and was later burned at the stake for witchcraft.

From Roman Holiday to Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Audrey Hepburn starred in a movie, she lit up the screen. Her unique sense of fashion, her grace, and, most important, her spirit made her beloved by generations. But her life offscreen was even more luminous. As a little girl growing up in Nazi-occupied Europe, she learned early on that true kindness is the greatest measure of a person--and it was a lesson she embodied as she became one of the first actresses to use her celebrity to shine a light on the impoverished children of the world through her work with UNICEF.

This is Audrey Hepburn as a little girl, an actress, an icon, an inspiration; this is Audrey just being Audrey.

Not all governments have been run by men. Lives of Extraordinary Women turns the spotlight on women who have wielded power, revealing their feats--and flaws--for all the world to see. Here you'll find twenty of the most influential women in history: queens, warriors, prime ministers, first ladies, revolutionary leaders. Some are revered. Others are notorious. What were they really like?

When Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published in 1868 it was an instant success. Louisa drew on her experiences in writing the novel, but there’s a lot more to her rags-to-riches story. Louisa came from a family that was poor but freethinking, and she started teaching when she was only seventeen years old. But writing was her passion. This informative biography captures the life of a compassionate woman who left an indelible mark on literature for all ages.

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved these wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills. Later, as First Lady, she sought to bring the beauty of wildflowers to America's cities and highways. She wanted to make sure every child could enjoy the splendor of wildflowers.

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture- book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

“Remember the Alamo!” is one of the most familiar battle cries in American history, yet few know about the brave woman who inspired it. Susanna Dickinson’s story reveals the crucial role she played during that turbulent period in Texas-American history.

Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania, invited by brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction, and their habitat. Young animal lovers and Winter's many fans will welcome this fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life.

Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem. Her name was Alice. Alice Lee Roosevelt was hungry to go places, meet people, do things! Father called it running riot. Alice called it eating up the world. Whether she was entertaining important White House visitors with her pet snake or traveling the globe, Alice bucked convention and turned every new experience into an adventure! Brimming with affection and wit, this spirited biography gives readers a peek at family life inside the White House. Prose and pictures spring, gambol, and two-step across the pages to celebrate a maverick American heroine.

Two women with similar backgrounds. Both slaves; both fiercely independent. Both great, in different ways.
Harriet Tubman: brave pioneer who led her fellow slaves to freedom, larger than life . . . yearning to be free.
Sojourner Truth: strong woman who spoke up for African American rights, tall as a tree . . . yearning to be free.
One day in 1864, the lives of these two women came together. When Harriet Met Sojourner is a portrait of these two remarkable women, from their inauspicious beginnings to their pivotal roles in the battle for America's future.

Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, & the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story.

This Week in the Library: Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month, so this week, we'll be reading about some amazing women!

Third grade will be listening to Here Come the Girl Scouts, which tells the true story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, "a girl with gumption," who grows up to found an organization that continues to empower girls today.  Read more about this exciting book here.

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Fourth grade will be reading Marching With Aunt Susan, which explains some of the important contributions Susan B. Anthony made.

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Fifth grade will be listening to a book talk about Amelia Lost, an exciting and intriguing telling of Amelia Earhart's life and disappearance.

This Week in the Library...

Since our country will be electing our next president this week, we'll be reading So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George.  This Caldecott winner contains lots of interesting facts about past presidents, as well as some humorous and entertaining illustrations.  Check out the video below for a sample!



 

Book Talk Tuesday: Queen of the Falls

Today's book is a biography that I'm sharing with the 4th Grader classes who visit the library this week. Queen of the Falls, by Chris VanAllsburg, tells the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first daredevil to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel! Here's a slideshow of some pictures of Annie and her famous barrel:

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If you'd like to know more about Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor, or other famous Niagara daredevils, click on her picture below:

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Here's a video of one of the daredevils who followed Annie's lead and went over the falls in a barrel. Can you imagine what it must have felt like on the inside of this barrel?


And finally, here's a video of the author/illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, talking about his book, Queen of the Falls:

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This Week in the Library...

This six weeks, all grades will be exploring nonfiction texts, specifically biographies and autobiographies.

3rd Graders will be reading Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell, which tells the story of Jane Goodall. You can read about Me...Jane here. Here's a video about Jane:

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4th Graders will be reading Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg, the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first daredevil to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel!
Here's a slideshow of some pictures of Annie and her famous barrel:

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If you'd like to know more about Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor, or other famous Niagara daredevils, click on her picture below:

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Here's a video of one of the daredevils who followed Annie's lead and went over the falls in a barrel. Can you imagine what it must have felt like on the inside of this barrel?

And finally, here's a video of the author/illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, talking about his book, Queen of the Falls:

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5th Graders will be hearing excerpts from Jon Scieszka's autobiography, Knucklehead. Scieszka is a funny guy, so be sure to check out his entertaining website! And here's an interview with Scieszka...

Book Talk Tuesday: Barnum's Bones

This week's book talk is a great non-fiction picture book about a man who loved bones!

Barnum's Bones, by Tracey Fern, tells the story of Barnum Brown--a young man whose parents gave him an unusual name because they hoped he would grow up to do great things.  They never dreamed that their son would grow up to be one of the greatest dinosaur hunters who ever lived!

Barnum uncovered more dinosaur skeletons than anyone had before him, and he was responsible for the discovery of the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Read more about the book at author Tracey Fern's website.



Here's a picture of Barnum uncovering the T. Rex skeleton:

And here's what the skeleton looked like once it was put together and displayed in the museum:

Do you notice anything wrong with the skeleton in the picture above?  (Hint: Take a look at this NPR video about how T. Rex moved.)

And here's a great video about Barnum and his discoveries, including many pictures of Barnum on his archaeological digs, as well as pictures of the dinosaur skeletons he discovered:





And, if you enjoyed Barnum's Bones, you might also like Buffalo Music, also by Tracey Fern, which tells the story of Mary Ann Goodnight, the woman who was responsible for forming one of the first herds of buffaloes to live in captivity.  Check it out at our library!

This Week in the Library...

We are continuing to explore biographies in all grades!

3rd Graders are listening to The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino. Here's a great book trailer for the book, featuring some of Dan Yaccarino's awesome illustrations!

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4th Graders are continuing to listen to Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg. Click here to learn more about Annie Edson Taylor's heroic trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel!

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5th Graders will be listening to excerpts of Prairie Visions: The Life and Times of Solomon Butcher by Pam Conrad, and will be learning about photographer Solomon Butcher, who documented Nebraska history when he traveled the prairie photographing pioneer families and their homes. Click here to learn more about Solomon Butcher and to see some of his photos. And here's a great documentary about Solomon Butcher and the people he photographed:

Black Elk's Vision: A Lakota Story

Black Elk's Vision: A Lakota Story
by S.D. Nelson

“Everyone must choose to walk with the water of life or the weapon of destruction.” These are the words Black Elk receives from the Six Grandfathers to share with his people. Told from Black Elk’s point of view, S.D. Nelson vividly describes the plight of the Lakota and their struggles to maintain their way of life. His message of hope is further brought to life by historical photographs and dynamic illustrations.
[Summary from Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

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Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott

Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott
by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Louisa May Alcott loved to have strawberry parties with her sisters andenjoyed their frequent pillow fights. But, her first love was writing. She
spent the majority of her time outdoors where she composed poetry and stories that grew quickly in popularity. Discover little-known facts about
the well-known author of Little Women in this intriguing biography of Louisa’s complicated rags-to-riches story.
[Summary from Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

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The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)
by Barbara Kerley

According to Susy Twain, her father Mark is “perfect except he hasn’t extraordinary teeth.” And so begins this innovative biography partially written by thirteen-year old Susy. Complete with energetic illustrations and instructions on how to write your own biography, this book shows a whole other side of a beloved American author.
[Summary from Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

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This Week in the Library...

This six weeks, all grades will be exploring nonfiction texts, specifically biographies and autobiographies.

3rd Graders will be reading Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell, which tells the story of Jane Goodall. You can read about Me...Jane here. Here's a video about Jane:

---

4th Graders will be reading Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg, the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first daredevil to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel!
Here's a slideshow of some pictures of Annie and her famous barrel:

---

If you'd like to know more about Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor, or other famous Niagara daredevils, click on her picture below:

---

Here's a video of one of the daredevils who followed Annie's lead and went over the falls in a barrel. Can you imagine what it must have felt like on the inside of this barrel?

And finally, here's a video of the author/illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, talking about his book, Queen of the Falls:

---

5th Graders will be hearing excerpts from Jon Scieszka's autobiography, Knucklehead. Scieszka is a funny guy, so be sure to check out his entertaining website! And here's an interview with Scieszka...