Reproductive Rights: Who Decides? by Vicki Oransky Wittenstein Twenty-First Century Books, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4677-4187-3 Grades 9-12 In 2013 Louise reviewed For the Good of Mankind by Vicki Oransky Wittenstein. Today I am pleased to review Vicki's latest nonfiction book for teens, Reproductive Rights: Who Decides?  If you have viewed any of the recent Republican or Democratic debates,

Elizabeth Started All the TROUBLE  by Doreen Rappaport illustrated by Matt Faulkner Disney Hyperion, 2016 Grades 2-8 Elizabeth Started All the TROUBLE... That's Elizabeth Cady Stanton, of course. Author, Doreen Rappaport, and illustrator, Matt Faulkner, have teamed up to create a comprehensive look at the history of the women's right movement in the U.S.. There have been several picture books

Aaron and Alexander: the Most Famous Duel in American History Written and illustrated by Don Brown Roaring Brook Press. 2015 ISBN: 9781596439986 Grades 5 - 12 I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library. Aaron and Alexander could have been friends. They were alike in many ways. But the ways in which they were different made them the worst of enemies. Brown’s

Glow: Animals with Their Own Night Lights  by W.H. Beck Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016 Grades K-5 Children will be instantly attracted to the close-up photographs of unusual creatures contrasted on black backgrounds in Glow, a nonfiction picture book featuring bioluminescent animals such as lanternfish, atolla jellyfish, vampire fish and the glowing sucker octopus. Beck explains on the first

Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass   by Dean Robbins illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko Orchard Books/ Scholastic, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-545-39996-8 Grades K-5 I attended a Scholastic 2016 picture book preview earlier this month where I had the honor of hearing Selina Alko and Sean Qualls describe their collaboration on the illustrations for Two Friends. Below is a

An Eye for Color: the Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing; Art by Julia Breckenreid Henry Holt. 2009 ISBN: 9780805080728 Grades 2-12 The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her local public library. A few weeks ago, back in December 2015, I came up with an idea for an art program for the teen summer reading program: an exercise in color from the book, Local Color by Mimi

Today I returned home from the ALA Midwinter Conference in Boston where thousands of librarians, authors and publishers took over Beantown. I'm tired yet energized after spending time with fellow librarians, attending committee meetings and publisher events, and viewing 2016 titles in the Exhibit Hall. I also had the pleasure of attending book previews hosted by Scholastic, Candlewick Press,

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras  by Duncan Tonatiuh Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015 Grades 2-5 Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras was recently featured in our list of Best Nonfiction Books of 2015. The picture book biography introduces readers to an influential Mexican artist who began his work as a printer. Jose Guadalupe Posada worked as a printer

2015 turned out to be another banner year for nonfiction books for children. We looked back over our reviews from the year and selected 22 books that stood out as the best of the year. There are still many 2015 titles we plan to review in upcoming weeks. We've organized the list into three categories: History, Science and Biography. Our hope is that librarians, teachers and parents will find

The Smart Girl’s Guide to Privacy: Practical Tips for Staying Safe Online by Violet Blue No Starch Press. 2015 ISBN: 9781593276485 Grades 9 thru adult I received a copy of this book from the publisher This review reflects my opinion and not that of the Cybils YA Nonfiction Committee Has your email, Twitter, Snapchat or other online account ever been hacked? Do you worry how easy your

How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 Grades K-5 ISBN: 978-0-544-31365-1 In classic Jenkins/Page style, How to Swallow a Pig captivates readers with colorful, cut paper collage and interesting science facts. This highly engaging and informative nonfiction picture books uses a sequence text structure to

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine  by Laurie Wallmark illustrated by April Chu Creston Books, 2015 Grades 2-5 ISBN: 978-1-939547-20-0 This week is Computer Science in Education Week. Thousands of students across the country will take part in the Hour of Code and learn about computer programming.  Last year I assembled a display of books in my school library to promote Computer Science

Sally Ride: a photography of America’s pioneering woman in space Tam O’Shaughnessy Roaring Brook Press. 2015 ISBN: 9781596439948 Grades 6-12 I received a copy of this book from the publisher This review reflects my own opinion and not that of the 2015 Cybils Committee. The story of Sally Ride is lovingly shared by her friend and life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. The two met when

Lincoln's Spymaster: Allan Pinkerton, America's First Private Eye  by Samantha Seiple Scholastic Press. 2015 ISBN: 9780545708975 I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher. Grades 6-12 This review reflects my opinion and not that of the Cybils YA Nonfiction Committee Over the centuries, immigrants have enriched our (American) culture and Allan Pinkerton was no exception.

Over the weekend, the Orbis Pictus Award winner and honors were announced during a luncheon at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) conference in Minneapolis. The Orbis Pictus Award recognizes "excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children." 2016 Orbis Picture Winner: Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans by Don Brown  2016 Honor Books: Funny Bones: Posada and

A Chicken Followed Me Home!: Questions and Answers About a Familiar Fowl   by Robin Page Beach Lane Books, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1028-1 Grades K-3 The reviewer received a copy of the book from the publisher. Robin Page is known for collaborating with Steven Jenkins on nonfiction picture books such as What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?,  My First Day, Time to Eat and How to Clean a

Louise and I have been focused on reviewing the best nonfiction books of the year, and it's been a while since we've shared Nonfiction News. Here are some articles and blog posts that have caught our attention lately. It's getting close to awards season. Alyson Beecher posted her Mock Sibert list on Kidlit Frenzy today. She has compiled a list of excellent titles; many we've reviewed on

Overturning Wrongful Convictions: science serving justice by Elizabeth A. Murray, PhD Twenty-First Century Books. 2015 ISBN: 9781467725132 Grades 8-12 I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library. This is a Cybils book. The opinion expressed in this review is mine, not the committee's. Being wrongfully convicted of a crime you didn’t commit and spending years

Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound  by Andrea Davis Pinkney Roaring Brook Press, 2015 Grades 5-8 Rhythm Ride, Andrea Davis Pinkney's latest nonfiction work, is a dynamic look at the life of Berry Gordy, the rise of Motown Records and the success of dozens of African American singers and songwriters from the 1960s to the 1990s. The first chapter,"Greeting from the Grove,"

The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins by Sandra Markle Millbrook Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4677-8030-8 Grades 3-6 The reviewer received a copy of the book from the publisher. Over the past few years we've reviewed  The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs and The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats by Sandra Markle. These titles have proven to be high interest books for

I Will Always Write Back: how one letter changed two lives by Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda with Liz Welch Little Brown. 2015 ISBN: 9780316241311 Grades 6-12 I borrowed this book from my local public library. When her English teacher announced a pen pal program, seventh grader Caitlin thought the crazy-sounding place of Zimbabwe sounded intriguing. I’d never heard of Zimbabwe.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton  bu Don Tate Peachtree, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-56145-825-7 Grades K-5 The reviewer received a galley from the publisher. Earlier this year Louise reviewed The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate. Peachtree recently published a gorgeous picture book biography written and illustrated by Don Tate. Poet: The

<!--[if gte mso 9]>

I decided to share some of my favorite nonfiction titles I read when classrooms visit my public library throughout the school year or in summertime with the local summer campers. I look for books that have an exciting narrative, large, beautiful illustrations, and offers listeners an interesting perspective on familiar or new topics. I kept the publication date no later than 2012. 

From the Backlist: 10,000 Days of Thunder: a history of the Vietnam War Philip Caputo Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2005 ISBN: 9780689862311 Grades 8+ I borrowed this book from my local public library. The Vietnam War defined a generation. It was the inspiration behind scores of songs, sparked dozens of riots, and came to be known as the most controversial war in American history.