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Hold the Flag High

2021

by Catherine Clinton and Shane W. Evans

"Hold the Flag High is the true story of William Carney, the first Black Medal of Honor winner and Civil War hero. As sergeant of the Massachusetts 54th, an all-Black regiment, he was one of only a few Black officers to serve during the Civil War. In the Battle of Fort Wagner, he risked life and limb to make sure that “Old Glory” never stopped waving." -- published

Biography Cross Group

Opening the Road

2021

by Keila V. Dawson and Alleanna Harris

"In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn't visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. The guide sold like hot cakes! Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too. With the help of his mail carrier co-workers and the African American business community, Green's guide allowed millions of African Americans to travel safely and enjoy traveling across the nation." -- publisher

Biography Oppression & Resilience

Park Rangers and What They Do

by Liesbet Slegers

"An enlightening informative book tailor-made for toddlers about the forester and everything she (or he) does. For nature lovers ages 4 and up. Today, we head out with the forester. Do any trees have to be cut down or planted? Are there any animals in the forest that weren’t there before? Is the forest clean or did someone dump trash? Is there a walk in the dark on the program? The forester keeps an eye on all of that and protects nature." -- publisher

Any Child Informational

Sun in My Tummy

2022

by Laura Alary and Andrea Blinick

"In simple but expressive language, a mother describes to her young daughter how the sun’s light becomes the energy in her body through the oats, blueberries, and milk in her home-cooked breakfast." -- publisher

Any Child Informational

E is for Everyone! Every Vote and Every Voice

2020

by Elissa Grodin and Victor Juhasz

"This streamlined ABC approach uses poetry and colorful artwork to explain the basic building blocks of America's democratic system of government, from its earliest beginnings to how it works in today's world. For ages 4‒8, from the author‒illustrator team of D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet. Back matter provides further explanation for key concepts such as branches of government. Civics lessons are always timely, always important, and often very complicated. And despite the easy banter in today's media, many adult Americans are still in the dark when it comes to knowing their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society. So how do we help our youngest citizens to understand this important information in ways that make sense? This streamlined ABC approach uses poetry and colorful artwork to explain the basic building blocks of America's democratic system of government, from its earliest beginnings to how it works in today's world. From amendments and elections to Congress and our Constitution, E is for Everyone! Every Vote and Every Voice: A Democracy Alphabet helps make our system of government understandable for young readers. Back matter provides further explanation for key concepts such as the Bill of Rights, Founding Fathers, and branches of government. For ages 4‒8, from the author‒illustrator team of D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet." -- publisher

Incidental

The Ocean in Your Bathtub

2020

by Seth Fishman and Isabel Greenberg

"From shore to suburb, the ocean connects all of us in unexpected ways—through the weather, our water, our food sources, and more! In their signature informative and child-friendly style, the award-winning creators of A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars explore how the ocean affects everyone—no matter where they live—and how everyone affects the ocean. Fans of Jess Keating’s Shark Lady and Kate Messner’s The Brilliant Deep will be hooked. Did you know that oceans cover 71 percent of our planet and contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water? That seven out of every ten breaths you take contains oxygen that comes from oceanic plant life? No matter how far from the ocean you live, it is part of your life, every single day. And you are part of the ocean’s life, too. Every time you flush the toilet or throw something away, you might be sending it to the ocean—and every time you do a good deed, such as picking up litter or recycling, you are helping the ocean! Acclaimed creators Seth Fishman and Isabel Greenberg explore how the Earth’s five oceans affect daily life for everyone on the planet, presenting surprising information about the ocean ecosystem in a fun, accessible story. Isabel Greenberg’s vibrant illustrations are the ideal match to Seth Fishman’s engaging, playful text. Perfect for curious kids and classroom learning. Includes backmatter about the water cycle and ocean ecosystem." -- publisher

Incidental Informational

An Apple for Harriet Tubman

2016

by Glennette Tilley Turner and Susan Keeter

"Like other enslaved African American children, young Harriet Tubman had to work hard. In her master's orchard, she spent long hours picking the juicy apples she was forbidden to eat. Harriet vowed to one day be free and to grow apple trees of her own. When she was grown, she made her escape to the North. Then, repeatedly risking her life, she returned to lead many other African Americans to freedom." -- publisher

Biography Oppression & Resilience

Flying High

2020

by Michelle Meadows and Ebony Glenn

"A lyrical picture book biography of Simone Biles, international gymnastics champion and Olympic superstar. Before she was a record-breaking, world-famous gymnast, Simone Biles spent time in foster care as a young child. Nimble and boundlessly energetic, she cherished every playground and each new backyard. When she was six years old, Simone’s family took shape in a different way: her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her and her sister Adria. Simone was also introduced to gymnastics that same fateful year, launching a lifelong passion fueled by remarkable talent, sacrifice, and the undying support of her family. From her early competitions to the height of her success as an Olympic champion, this is the story of the world’s greatest gymnast. For fans of She’s Got This by Laurie Hernandez and Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still." -- publisher

Biography

We Wait for the Sun

2021

by Katie McCabe and Raissa Figueroa

"A beautiful and uplifting non-fiction picture book from trailblazing civil rights lawyer and activist Dovey Johnson Roundtree. In the hour before dawn, we slip out of the house, and the midsummer night is dark and cool. As I follow the swish, swish of my grandmother’s skirts, I can smell the damp earth beneath my feet and feel the dewy air on my face. Moving through the darkness toward the woods where blackberries grow, I’m certain my Grandma Rachel and I are the only ones awake in the whole world. From civil rights trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree comes a stunning picture book about a precious early-morning moment between her and her grandmother—the woman who taught her everything she knew about self-worth, strength, and justice. With vivid, vibrant illustrations from Raissa Figueroa, We Wait for the Sun is a resonant, beautiful story told through one exquisite page turn after another." -- publisher

Biography

Runaway

2021

by Ray Anthony Shepard and Keith Mallett

"A powerful, lyrical OwnVoices picture book about the enslavement of Ona Judge and her self-emancipation from George Washington’s household. Ona Judge was enslaved by the Washingtons, and served the President's wife, Martha. Ona was widely known for her excellent skills as a seamstress, and was raised alongside Washington’s grandchildren. Indeed, she was frequently mistaken for his granddaughter. This biography follows her childhood and adolescence until she decides to run away. This book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of slavery, nor the complex role of house servants. Author Ray Anthony Shepard implicates the reader in Ona’s decision to emancipate herself by using a rhetorical refrain, “Why you run, Ona Judge?” This haunting meditation welcomes meaningful and necessary conversation among readers. Illustrator Keith Mallett’s rich paintings include fabric collage and add further feeling and majesty to Ona’s daring escape." -- publisher

Cross Group Oppression & Resilience