Meet Mars! The red planet. Planet Marvelous. Favorite sibling of Earth (or so he claims). Sometimes they’re close (just 34.5 million miles apart). Sometimes they need space (250 million miles apart). Earth and Mars have a lot in common―clouds, mountains, polar icecaps. And while Earth has Earthlings, Mars makes a persuasive case for why people should make the journey to spend time with him. His day is 7 minutes longer. He is home to the largest volcano in the whole solar system. He’s, well, marvelous. 4-8 years
Mars First Friends: Come on Over Rovers!
By Susanna Leonard Hill, Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
In a solar system full of planets, Mars feels all alone. All Mars wants is someone to play with, but all of the planets are just too busy. Mars can’t help but wonder…will he ever get a playmate? Until one day, Earth sends her little brother Mars his first friends: the rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
Learn about Mars’ rovers through this universal story about man’s―and Mars’―best friends―our beloved pets. This solar system book is the perfect book for little adventurers searching for more books on pets and space books for kids. 4-8 years
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover
By Markus Motum
Maybe you remember when a little robotic spacecraft landed on a far-off planet. On August 6, 2012, the rover Curiosity touched down on the rocky surface of Mars — and now she’s ready to guide you through her journey firsthand. From idea to creation and beyond, this fact-filled book introduces readers to Curiosity and her mission: to discover more about the red planet and search for evidence of life.
How did Curiosity get her name? What tools does she use to carry out her tasks? In her own voice, the popular NASA rover tells how and why she traveled more than 350,000,000 miles to explore a planet no human has ever visited . . . and what she’s been doing there. 8-12 years
The Mighty Mars Rover: The Incredible Adventures of Spirt and Opportunity
By Elizabeth Rusch
On June 10, 2003, a little rover named Spirit blasted off on a rocket headed for Mars. On July 7, 2003, a twin rover named Opportunity soared through the solar system with the same mission: to find out if Mars ever had water that could have supported life. The Mighty Mars Rovers tells the story of the greatest space robot adventure of all time through the eyes—and heart—of Steven Squyres, professor of astronomy at Cornell University and lead scientist on the mission. This book captures the hair-raising human emotions felt during the adventures with two tough rovers. 10-12 years
National Geographic Reader: Mars
By Elizabeth Carney
Discover the fascinating world of Mars in this colorful book. In this format, kids will learn about the newest information on Mars, the Mars Rover, and our ongoing exploration of the Red Planet. This level 3 reader is written in an easy-to-grasp style to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow! 6-9 years
Rover Throws a Party
Kristin L. Gray, Illustrated by Scott Magoon
It’s Rover’s anniversary on Mars! Time to celebrate by throwing the best party this planet has ever seen. Rover hands out invitations all over town, but it seems like he’s the only one around. Will anyone come to the party, or will Rover be all alone on his big day?
In 2013, NASA programmed their Curiosity rover to hum “Happy Birthday to You” in honor of its first year on Mars. Inspired by this anecdote, this is the tale of a lonely rover and his party, accompanied by fascinating Mars rover facts that help explain the real science behind the story. This fun birthday tale provides an accessible, kid-friendly look at one of NASA’s coolest programs. 3-7 years
Night Night, Curiosity
By Brianna Caplan, Illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke
In this rhyming bedtime book, a girl whose mother works at NASA imagines that she’s exploring Mars with the Curiosity rover as she gets ready for bed. She describes taking off, observing Mars, communicating with mission control, and operating the rover. Young space explorers everywhere will want to head for Mars, too. 3-7 years
Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars
By Richard Ho, Illustrated by Katherine Roy
Mars has a visitor. It likes to roam…observe…measure…and collect. It explores the red landscape―crossing plains, climbing hills, and tracing the bottoms of craters―in search of water and life. It is not the first to visit Mars. It will not be the last. But it might be…the most curious. Join Curiosity on its journey across the red planet in this nonfiction picture book by Richard Ho, illustrated by Sibert Honor winner Katherine Roy. 3-6 years
Spirit and Oppy
By Rachel Viniguerra, Illustrated by Samantha Gottwalt
Have you heard the story of the twin sisters who explored the surface of Mars? They were NASA’s twin rovers, Spirit and Opportunity (or Oppy for short). The two sisters traveled to Mars in 2003 and explored the vast planet. Although Oppy’s mission was only meant to last 90 days, she explored for 15 years overcoming obstacles with creative solutions. The sisters showed the world just how much two small rovers can do right up until the end of their missions. 5-9 years
Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond
By Martin Jenkins, Illustrated by Stephen Biesty
For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky and wondered what it’s like deep in space, far from Earth — and now we’ve begun to find out. We’ve landed on the moon, put robots on Mars, and sent space probes billions of miles to explore the far reaches of our solar system. Find out what life is like on the International Space Station, what the chances are that we will ever settle on Mars, where in the solar system we might find alien life, and why visiting other stars will almost certainly remain a dream. Budding astronomers, junior astronauts, and anyone who has ever gazed up at the stars will enjoy this glimpse of the infinite wonders of space. 8-12 years
Moving to Mars
By Stef Wade, Illustrated by Erin Taylor
Mars likes peace and quiet and is not happy when unexpected visitors start showing up. But when they leave, Mars realizes being alone isn’t all that great. Mars reaches out to his space friends for comfort and help. Maybe Mars is a people planet after all! Author Stef Wade (A Place for Pluto) interweaves friendship and humor throughout the space story and seamlessly connects nonfiction information to the narrative in the back matter. 5-7 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, The First Paleontologist
By Linda Skeers, Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguéns
Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary’s eye.
Bones. Dinosaur Bones.
Mary’s discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn’t be scientists, so Mary wasn’t given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world. Grades 1-4
Mary Anning’s Curiosity
By Monica Kulling, Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
Mary Anning, considered the world’s greatest fossilist, discovered her first big find at the age of twelve. This novel is an imaginative recreation of her childhood in early nineteenth-century Lyme Regis. Grades 2-7
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
By Cheryl Blackford
Mary Anning grew up on the south coast of England in a region rich in fossils. As teenagers, she and her brother Joseph discovered England’s first complete ichthyosaur. Poor and uneducated, Anning would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever, though in her time she supported herself selling by fossils and received little formal recognition. Her findings helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution.
With photographs, and paleoart, Fossil Hunter introduces this self-taught scientist, now recognized as one of the greatest fossilists the world has ever known. Grade 5+
The Fossil Girl
By Catherine Brighton
It’s 1811. Ten-year-old Mary Anning, her brother Joe, and their widowed mother are eking out a meager existence running a little fossil shop in the seaside town of Lyme Regis. After a storm wipes out most of the shop’s merchandise, Mary and Joe begin the slow work of restocking the shelves. They search high and low for fossils, and one day Mary spots a huge eye in a cliff face high above the town. She resolves to bring the creature down no matter the risk. The exciting discovery and recovery of the first complete fossil of an Ichthyosaurus is told in a graphic novel format, perfect for reluctant readers. Grades K-3
Rare Treasures: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries
By Don Brown
Before the word “dinosaur” was even coined, a young girl discovered a remarkable skeleton on the rocky beach at Lyme Regis in England. Thus began a lifelong passion for an extraordinary woman who became one of the first commercial fossil collectors. Born in 1799, Mary Anning spent a lifetime teaching herself about fossils and combing the rugged ribbon of shore near her home. Her work yielded an astounding treasure trove: fossils of long-extinct creatures that thrilled customers in her shop and excited early paleontologists.
Blind to the dangers of fossil-hunting and to the limitations imposed on women of her era, Mary Anning was a singular scientist who used her sharp eyes and clear mind to compose a picture of ancient life from the bones she unearthed. With his trademark prose and lyrical watercolors, Don Brown distills the life story of this rare treasure of a scientist. Grades Preschool-3
Stone Girl Bone Girl
By Laurence Anhot, Illustrated by Shelia Moxley
Mary Anning, a young girl found a fossilized sea monster, the most important prehistoric discovery of its time. This spectacular tale of a little girl who dared to be different and who followed her dreams will inspire young children. Learn how Mary discovered new fossils – and how her observations rocked the natural history world. Be inspired by Mary’s work as a woman in the field of science – especially as her achievements weren’t recognized until after her death. Grades K-3
History VIPs: Mary Anning
By Kay Barnham
‘She sells sea shells on the sea shore’ – and she really did! This rhyme is thought to have been written about Mary Anning, an amazing fossilist and dinosaur expert, who was almost unknown at the time she lived. This biography explores the life of Mary Anning, from her first fossil finds at the age of ten to her sales of important discoveries to wealthy scientists. Mary’s fossil finds made a great contribution to what scientists understood about pre-historic life.
Through the story of Mary Anning, readers learn about life and society in Victorian Britain. We learn what it was like to be born into a poor family and about the roles of women in society and in the field of science. Grades 4-6
Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon
By Jeannine Atkins, Illustrated by Michael Dooling
Mary Anning loved to scour the shores of Lyme Regis, England, where she was born in 1799, for stone sea lilies and shells. Her father had taught her how to use the tools with which she dug into the sand and scraped at the stones that fell from the cliffs. And he taught her how to look hard for “curiosities.”
One day, when she was eleven, Mary Anning spotted some markings on a wide, flat stone. She chipped at it with her hammer and chisel until the lines of a tooth emerged–and then those of another tooth. Weeks of persistent effort yielded a face about four feet long. But what creature was this? Her brother called it a sea dragon.
Many months later, Mary Anning still had not unearthed what she only then learned was called a fossil. But she found out that her discovery was precious and that the painstaking effort to uncover traces of ancient life was profoundly important. Jeannine Atkins’s engaging portrait is illustrated by Michael Dooling, whose paintings capture young Mary Anning’s devotion to her work, and all the joy she found in it. Grades K-4
The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs
By Shirley Raye Redmond, Illustrated by Simon Sullivan
There once was a little dog named Tray. He lived in England with his owner, Mary Ann Anning. Besides Mary Ann, Tray loved one other thing: He loved to dig for dinosaur bones. Together he and Mary Ann found small bones, big bones, and even entire skeletons! People came from all around the world to see the bones they found. This is the true story of Tray, the dog that dug for dinosaurs. Grades 1-3
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers. You will notice that there is a discrepancy in Mary’s age when she found the dinosaur.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or commenting below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
BEHIND THE BOOKCASE: MIEP GIES, ANNE FRANK AND THE HIDING PLACE
By Barbara Lowell, Illustrated by Valentina Toro
Miep Gies risked her life to keep a secret. Behind the bookcase in her office, stairs led to a hiding place where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis. Once a refugee herself, Miep knew the power of kindness. Her selflessness, humanity, and bravery sheltered Anne for a time. Because of Miep, Anne Frank’s story lives on. –Behind the Bookcase Jacket
YOUNG MIEP GIES
Miep Gies was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1909. Her name was Hermine Santrouschitz. After Austria’s loss in World War I, food was scarce and Miep became malnourished as many of Austria’s children did. Her parents were concerned that their eleven-year-old daughter might die.
Along with other families in the Netherlands, the Nieuwenhuises offered to take care of an Austrian child. Miep’s parents sent her to Leiden to live with the Dutch family. They called her Hermine at first, but then gave her the “affectionate Dutch nickname” Miep. Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Neiuwenhuise began to think of Miep as their adoptive child and the four boys in the family referred to her as one of their two sisters.
Through their kindness and lots of Dutch bread, butter, milk, cheese and chocolate, Miep grew healthy. Her foster father took her to school where the children grabbed her hands, sat her down, and taught her to speak Dutch. Soon, Miep was the top student in her class.
Miep embraced the Dutch life. She rode a bicycle for the first time, learned to make butter sandwiches, talked about what she read in the newspaper and learned to love classical music. But ice skating on a frozen canal was something she tried once but would never try again.
When she was thirteen, Miep and her new family moved to Amsterdam. She loved its movie theaters, electric streetcars, the canals winding through the city, the beautiful flower stalls, and all the bicycles racing along the city’s bike paths.
When she was sixteen, she visited her Austrian family. Miep told them that she had grown to love living in Amsterdam and wanted to stay there. She considered herself to be Dutch now. Her parents gave their permission and Miep returned to Amsterdam and her life with the Nieuwenhuise family. In 1941, she married Jan Gies. From the time she was eleven until her death in 2010, at age 100, Miep Gies lived a proud Dutch life.
America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001 the Day the Towers Fell
By Don Brown
The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning, from the terrorist plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site in New York City to the collapse of the buildings. Watercolor illustrations capture the emotion and pathos of the tragedy making this an important book about an unforgettable day in American history. Grades 1-4
Survivor Tree
By Marcie Colleen, Illustrated by Aaron Becker
This hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an understanding of September 11th and the impact it had on America.
One September day, the perfect blue sky exploded. Dust billowed. Buildings crumbled. And underneath it all, a tree sprouted green leaves in its distress. Pulled from the wreckage, the tree saw many seasons pass as it slowly recovered far away from home. Until one day, forever scarred and forever stronger, it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial.
This story of the real Survivor Tree uses nature’s cycle of colors to reflect on the hope and healing that come after a tragedy—and assures readers of their own remarkable resilience. 4-8 years
Towers Falling
By Jewell Parker Rhodes
When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Dèja can’t help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow and heal, she uncovers new questions. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers?
Jewell Parker Rhodes tells a story about young people who weren’t alive to witness this defining moment in history, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day. Grades 3-7
What Were the Twin Towers
By Jim O’Connor, Illustrated by Ted Hammond
Discover the true story of the Twin Towers—how they came to be the tallest buildings in the world and why they were destroyed.
When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic hub of the world. But on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack toppled the towers and changed our nation forever. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their ambitious construction to their tragic end. Grades 3-7
National Geographic Readers: September 11
By Libby Romero
The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. With photographs and sensitive, age-appropriate text, this Level 3 reader recounts the shocking attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. This book explains who was behind the attacks, and celebrates the spirit of hope that emerged through the inspiring story of rescue and recovery and the heroes who raced to save lives. 5-8 years
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey
By Maira Kalman
The John J. Harvey fireboat was the largest, fastest, shiniest fireboat of its time, but by 1995, the city didn’t need old fireboats anymore. So the Harvey retired, until a group of friends decided to save it from the scrap heap. Then, one sunny September day in 2001, something so horrible happened that the whole world shook. A call came from the fire department, asking if the Harvey could battle the roaring flames. In this true story, Maira Kalman brings a New York City icon to life and proves that old heroes never die. Preschool – 3rd Grade
The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story
By Cheryl Somers Aubin, Illustrated by Shelia Harrington
The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story takes the reader on a journey of hope and healing that parallels our nation’s own journey following the events of September 11, 2001.
A month after the collapse of the Twin Towers, workers on the site discovered a few green leaves showing through the gray concrete and ash. Clearing the debris, they found a badly injured Callery Pear Tree. She was rescued, taken to a nursery outside the city, and put in the care of Richie, a City Parks Worker. No one was sure if she would live. But the following spring, a dove built a nest in her branches and new green buds appeared.
Over the years, the tree, although still bearing scars, grew tall and strong. She is planted in a place of honor on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and now known as “The 9/11 Survivor Tree.” This story describes the experience, memories, and feelings of the tree throughout her healing and her eventual return home. All profits from the sale of this book go to charity. 8-12 years
September 11 Then and Now
By Peter Benoit
Discover the events of September 11th, 2001, in one of the A True Book: Natural Disasters series. This book investigates the events leading up to the disaster, explores it causes, and ponders how the events changed, or could have altered history. 8-11years
Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11
By Julie Gassman, Illustrated by Steve Moors
September 11, 2001, was a dark day in U.S. history. Amid the chaos, sea captains and crews raced by boat to the tragic Manhattan scene. Nearly 500,000 people on Manhattan Island were rescued that day in what would later be called the largest sea evacuation in history. In this story of heroism, we come to understand that in our darkest hours, people shine brightly as a beacon of hope. Grades 3-6
10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11
By Allan Zallo
When Captain Jay Jonas of the Fire Department of New York hears an emergency radio message about the World Trade Center, he has no idea of the terrible conditions he and his team will face. Arriving at the burning building, the firefighters must summon all their courage. On the same morning, just outside Washington, D.C., a jetliner piloted by terrorists slams into the Pentagon. Can Colonel Philip McNair save lives inside the flaming building?
From the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to a hijacked plane above Pennsylvania, these ten stories of true American heroes on the day that changed America — September 11, 2001. Grades 3-7
Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story
By Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ask anyone: September 11, 2001, was serene and lovely, a perfect day—until a plane struck the World Trade Center.
But right now it is a few days earlier, and four kids in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, who lives in Brooklyn, is struggling to come to terms with the absentee father he hates and the grandmother he loves. Will’s father is gone, too, killed in a car accident that has left the family reeling. Naheed has never before felt uncomfortable about being Muslim, but at her new school she’s getting funny looks because of the head scarf she wears. Aimee is starting a new school in a new city and missing her mom, who has to fly to New York on business.
These four don’t know one another, but their lives are about to intersect in ways they never could have imagined. Nora Raleigh Baskin weaves together their stories into a novel about that seemingly perfect September day—the day our world changed forever. Grades 3-7
The books descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote
By Tanya Lee Stone, Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood up and fought for what she believed in. From an early age, she knew that women were not given rights equal to men. But rather than accept her lesser status, Elizabeth went to college and later gathered other like-minded women to challenge the right to vote. Here is the inspiring story of an extraordinary woman who changed America forever because she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Grades 1-5
Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote
By Barb Rosenstock, Illustrated by Sarah Green
When Woodrow Wilson was elected President, he didn’t know that he would be participating in one of the greatest fights of the century: the battle for women’s right to vote. The formidable Alice Paul led the women’s suffrage movement and saw President Wilson’s election as an opportunity to win the vote for women. She battered her opponent with endless strategic arguments and carefully coordinated protests, calling for a new amendment to grant women the right to vote.
With a spirit and determination that never quit, even when peaceful protests were met with violence and even when many women were thrown in jail, Paul eventually convinced President Wilson to support her cause, changing the country forever. Framed as a boxing match, this book provides a fascinating and compelling look at an important moment in American history. Grades 2-5
The Voice that Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History
By Elisa Boxer, Illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
In August of 1920, women’s suffrage in America came down to the vote in Tennessee. If the Tennessee legislature approved the 19th amendment it would be ratified giving all American women the right to vote. The historic moment came down to a single vote. The voter who tipped the scale toward equality did so because of a powerful letter from his mother. Febb Burn urged her son Harry to “Vote for suffrage and don’t forget to be a good boy.” The Voice That Won the Vote is the story of Febb, Harry, and the letter than gave all American women a voice. Grades 2-5
History Smashers: Women’s Right to Vote
By Kate Messner, Illustrated by Dylan Meconis
In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT?
WRONG! Susan B. Anthony wasn’t even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution.
The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative’s mom. No joke.
Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the fight for women’s suffrage. Grades 3-7
Around America to Win the Vote:
Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles
By Mara Rockliff, Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
In April 1916, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set out from New York City in a little yellow car, embarking on a bumpy, muddy, unmapped journey ten thousand miles long. They took with them a teeny typewriter, a tiny sewing machine, a wee black kitten, and a message for Americans all across the country: Votes for Women!
The women’s suffrage movement was in full swing, and Nell and Alice would not let anything keep them from spreading the word about equal voting rights for women. Braving blizzards, deserts, and naysayers—not to mention a whole lot of tires stuck in the mud—the two courageous friends made their way through the cities and towns of America to further their cause. Grades K-3
What Is the Women’s Right to Vote?
By Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Laurie A. Conley
From Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Gloria Steinem and Hillary Clinton, women throughout US history have fought for equality. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, women were demanding the right to vote. During the 1960s, equal rights and opportunities for women–both at home and in the workplace–were pushed even further. And in the more recent past, Women’s Marches have taken place across the world. Celebrate how far women have come with this inspiring read! 8-12 years
Miss Paul and the President:
The Creative Campaign for Women’s Right to Vote
By Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Nancy Zhang
When Alice Paul was a child, she saw her father go off to vote while her mother had to stay home. But why should that be? So Alice studied the Constitution and knew that the laws needed to change. But who would change them? She would! In her signature purple hat, Alice organized parades, wrote letters and protested outside the White House. She even met with President Woodrow Wilson, who told her there were more important issues to worry about than women voting. But nothing was more important to Alice. So she kept at it, and soon President Wilson was persuaded. This unsung hero will show young voters-to-be how important it is to never back down from a cause you believe in. Preschool – Grade 3
Elizabeth Started All the Trouble
By Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
She couldn’t go to college.
She couldn’t become a politician.
She couldn’t even vote.
But Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn’t let that stop her.
She called on women across the nation to stand together and demand to be treated as equal to men – and that included the right to vote. It took nearly seventy-five years and generations of women fighting for their rights through words, through action, and through pure determination . . . for things to slowly begin to change.
With the help of these trailblazers’ own words, Doreen Rappaport shows readers just how far this revolution has come, and inspires them to keep it going! Preschool – Grade 3
You Want Women to Vote Lizzie Stanton?
By Jean Fritz, Illustrated by Dyane DiSalvo Ryan
This biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton is as spirited as the women’s rights pioneer herself.
Who says women shouldn’t speak in public? And why can’t they vote? These are questions Elizabeth Cady Stanton grew up asking herself. Her father believed that girls didn’t count as much as boys, and her own husband once got so embarrassed when she spoke at a convention that he left town.
Luckily Lizzie wasn’t one to let society stop her from fighting for equality for everyone. And though she didn’t live long enough to see women get to vote, our entire country benefited from her fight for women’s rights. Grades 3-7
How Women Won the Right to Vote:
Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea
By Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen
From Newbery Honor medalist Susan Campbell Bartoletti in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in America comes the story of the little-known DC Women’s March of 1913.
Bartoletti introduces readers to suffragists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. They met in a London jail and fought their way through hunger strikes, jail time, and much more to win a long, difficult victory for America and its women.
Includes extensive back matter and dozens of archival images to evoke the time period between 1909 and 1920. Grades 3-7
The book descriptions used in this post are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
“It’s not fair.” Susan B. Anthony was very concerned about fairness and equality for women and girls in America. She knew it wasn’t fair to pay a woman less than a man for the same job. She knew it wasn’t fair not to allow women to vote in elections. In fact, it was illegal for women to vote. But she felt so strongly, she voted in an election–and was arrested–anyway.
Young readers will learn about young Susan B. Anthony and how she grew up to become a suffragette–a fighter for women’s equality. She joined forces with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others and gave speeches around the country to gain support for women’s right to vote. She fought her whole life, and believed that “failure is impossible.” She was right; her work made the 19th Amendment to the Constitution possible!
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics–for children who are ready to read on their own. 4-6 years.
Susan B. Anthony
By Alexandra Wallner
During Susan B. Anthony’s life, women and men were not considered equal. Women could not own property or vote; nor could they receive good educations. But Susan envisioned a time when women would be treated fairly and so she became a voice for change.
Her speeches and articles about women’s suffrage made her unpopular–people threw rotten eggs at her and even threatened her life–yet she did not give up. In clear and simple words and jewel-like paintings, here is the essential story of the woman whose passion for justice led to the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. 6-9 years
Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes For President
By Ann Malaspina, Illustrated by Steve James
On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony made history–and broke the law–when she voted in the U.S. presidential election, a privilege that had been reserved for men. She was arrested, tried, and found guilty: “The greatest outrage History every witnessed,” she wrote in her journal. It wasn’t until 1920 that women were granted the right to vote, but the civil rights victory would not have been possible without Susan B. Anthony’s leadership and passion to stand up for what was right. 4-8 years
Who Was Susan B. Anthony?
By Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso, Illustrated by Mike Lacey
Susan B. Anthony may be an international icon but her campaign for women’s rights had personal roots. Working as a school teacher in New York, Anthony refused to settle for less pay than her male colleagues which ignited her lifelong devotion to women’s equality. Anthony toured the United States and Europe giving speeches and publishing articles as one of the most important advocates of women’s rights. Learn more about the woman behind the movement.8-12 years
Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Women’s Rights
By Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Amy June Bates
Unlike most girls of her time, Susan B. Anthony received an education. And besides reading and writing, her schooling taught her that women should have the same rights as men, above all the right to vote. So from the time she was a young woman until the day she died, Susan worked very hard to change America and make her dream reality. 6-8 years
I Am Susan B. Anthony
By Nancy Parent
Brad feels left out when Xavier and Yadina take a vote without him. Thanks to Susan B. Anthony, they learn that everyone should have a vote! This episode-based 8×8 will focus on the traits that made our heroes great–the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. 3-5 years
Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass
By Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko
Some people had rights, while others had none.
Why shouldn’t they have them, too?
Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea. 4-8 years
Why Couldn’t Susan B. Anthony Vote?
And Other Questions About Women’s Suffrage
By Mary Kay Carson
Who was Susan B. Anthony—what did she stand for, why was she arrested, and how did she fight for women’s right to vote? And did she ever see her dream of woman’s suffrage come true? From the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, New York, to the enactment of the 19th Amendment, this lively chronicle introduces Anthony and the American suffragist movement. 7 and up
Susan B. Anthony: Champion for Voting Rights
By Mark Shulman, Illustrated by Kelly Tindall
This is a biography of the woman who was at the forefront of the women’s suffrage movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Along with other social reformers such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass, Anthony not only paved the way for women seeking the right to vote but also spoke out against the institution of slavery, at great personal risk. Full-color illustrations and historically accurate text make this biography an entertaining, educational, and inspiring read for those who enjoy history and graphic novels. 8-12 years
Marching With Aunt Susan
By Claire Rudolf Murphy, Illustrated by Stacy Schuett
This is the inspiring story of the fight for women’s suffrage, based on the experiences of a real girl. All Bessie wants is to go hiking with her father and brothers. But it’s 1896, and girls don’t get to hike. They can’t vote either, which Bessie discovers when Susan B. Anthony comes to town to help lead the campaign for women’s suffrage. Stirred to action, Bessie joins the movement and discovers that small efforts can result in small changes―and maybe even big ones.
Inspired by the diary of the real Bessie Keith Pond, a ten-year-old girl who lived in California during the suffrage campaign, this story offers a thought-provoking introduction to the fight for women’s rights. A story of hope and determination, Marching with Aunt Susan reminds readers that society cannot evolve unless people―even young people―dare to take a stand. 6-10 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Neil Armstrong become the first person to set foot on the moon. Long before that astonishing day in 1969, Armstrong was already dreaming of journeys above the clouds, visiting air shows and gaining his student pilot’s license at age sixteen. Find out how this flight-obsessed astronaut went on to take one of the most momentous steps in history. 8-10 years
Who Was the First Man on the Moon? Graphic Novel
By Nathan Page, Illustrated by Drew Shannon
From his childhood experiments to his first encounters with flight, explore the steps Neil Armstrong took in order to become the first person to land on the moon. A story of calculated risk, perseverance, and earth-defying reward, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the famous astronaut — brought to life by gripping narrative and full-color illustrations that fly off the page. 8-12 years
When Neil Armstrong Built a Wind Tunnel
by Mark Andrew Weakland, Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Astronaut Neil Armstrong couldn’t be held down by Earth’s gravity. As the first person to step foot on the moon, Neil took the U.S. space program to new heights. But before that, he had a humble boyhood of cutting lawns, cleaning ovens, washing airplanes and plenty of adventures, including building a wind tunnel in his parents’ basement! This playful story shows young readers that the sky’s not the limit for their own dreams. 6-8 years
One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong
By Don Brown
As a young boy, Neil Armstrong had a recurring dream in which he held his breath and floated high above the people, houses, and cars. He spent his free time reading stacks of flying magazines, building model airplanes, and staring through his homemade telescope mounted on the roof of his neighbor’s garage. As a teenager, Neil became obsessed with the idea of flight, working odd jobs to pay for flying lessons at a nearby airport. He earned his student pilot’s license on his sixteenth birthday.
Who knew that this shy boy, who also loved books and music, would become the first person to set foot on the moon. This is the inspiring story of one boy’s dream – a dream of flying that landed him more than 200,000 miles away from his home on earth. 4-7 years
Who Was Neil Armstrong?
By Roberta Edwards
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a “giant leap for mankind.” This Eagle Scout built his own model planes and grew up to become first a test pilot for experimental aircraft and then an astronaut, the first to walk on the moon. Over 80 black-and-white illustrations bring Armstrong’s story to life. 8-12 years
I am Neil Armstrong
By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
This fun biography focuses on the traits that made Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, great — traits that kids can aspire to. I amNeil Armstrong tells the story of one of America’s icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that includes his childhood influences. At the back is a timeline and photos. 5-8 years
Neil Armstrong One Giant Leap for Mankind
By Tara Dixon-Engel Illustrated by Mike Jackson
Neil Armstrong was America’s rocket man, the first person to set foot on the moon and turn science fiction into amazing reality. Award-winning authors Tara Dixon-Engel and Mike Jackson tell the fascinating story of how Armstrong went where no one had gone before, leaving his mark on the powdery surface of another world.
Even at an age when other boys were just learning to drive, Neil was training to reach the skies. He went on to study aeronautical engineering, win medals as a fighter pilot, try out the X-15 experimental rocket plane, and become one of the elite few chosen to be a NASA astronaut…where he took the test pilot’s credo of “higher, faster and farther” to thrilling heights. 10 and up
Pocket Bios: Neil Armstrong
By Al Berenger
Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut most famous for being the first person to walk on the moon: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Before enrolling in the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1962, Armstrong was an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. Follow this extraordinary man’s life and accomplishments, from childhood to space and back again. 4-7 years
Take a Giant Leap Neil Armstrong
By Peter and Connie Roop
This Scholastic Chapter Book is a biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon and tells what he was like as a young boy.
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publisher.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Guy Haydon raised and trained Midnight from the time she was a foal. The two had such a strong bond that when World War I broke out, Lieutenant Haydon slipped away from the frontlines of Gallipoli on an Egypt-bound ship to reunite with his horse. There, in the city of Beersheba, on October 31, 1917, two regiments of the Australian Light Horse Brigade took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon, riding Midnight—who succumbed to a bullet that might have otherwise killed her rider. In a new story from an award-winning duo, luminous illustrations and lyrical narration bring a sad moment in history to life. 5-9 years
Winnie’s Great War
by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Here is a heartwarming imagining of the real journey undertaken by the extraordinary bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. From her early days with her mama in the Canadian forest, to her remarkable travels with the Veterinary Corps across the country and overseas, and all the way to the London Zoo where she met Christopher Robin Milne (and inspired the creation of the world’s most famous bear,) Winnie is on a great war adventure.
This story is a blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall’s renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn’s real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear. 8-11 years
Stubby The Dog Soldier: World War I Hero
By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by Oliver Ian Hurst
A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers. 5-7 years
Knit Your Bit! A World War I Story
By Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia
Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.
Based on a real “Knit-In” event at Central Park in 1918, Knit Your Bit shows readers that making a lasting contribution is as easy as trying something new! 5-8 years
Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Most Famous Dog
By Ann Bausum
Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sgt. Stubby! That German shepherd, Rin Tin Tin, star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way.
Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy’s unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy’s commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy’s unit to the Western Front. 10-13 years
DK Findout! World War I
By Brian Williams
Did you know that the Allied powers used 33,000 camels in desert warfare? Or that more than 500,000 pigeons carried messages to the war’s front lines? Find out why!
Perfect for young history buffs and fans of the Axis & Allies board games, DK findout! World War I is a highly visual world-history book sure to inspire the next amazing school project or report. Inside, author Brian Williams breaks down why the war began, how it was fought, and what brought it to an end. 6-9 years
Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood
By Nathan Hale
World War I set the tone for the 20th century and introduced a new type of warfare: global, mechanical, and brutal. Nathan Hale has gathered some of the most fascinating true-life tales from the war and given them his inimitable Hazardous Tales twist. Easy to understand, funny, informative, and lively, this series is the best way to be introduced to some of the most well-known battles (and little-known secrets) of the infamous war. 8-12
Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion
By Chris Barton, Illustrated by Victo Ngai
During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships?
Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship’s speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs.
Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling. 7-11 years
Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion
By Linda Granfield
When World War I began in 1914, no one knew that millions of young people would die in the agonizing years ahead. No one imagined the effect it would have on family life, or that whole villages would disappear, or that entire nations would be changed forever. They believed their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers would be home by Christmas. They were tragically mistaken.
With photos, memorabilia, and anecdotes, Linda Granfield brings us face-to-face with people from all walks of life who risked everything for their country. These painstakingly-gathered bits and pieces are remnants of conflict on a scale never before witnessed. Hastily-penned letters, notes written in code, and prayers for deliverance form an eloquent portrait of humanity, and a startling comment on the devastation of war. 11 and up
World War I For Kids: A History with 21 Activities
By R. Kent Rasmussen
One hundred years after the start of the “Great War,” World War I for Kids provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at this defining conflict that involved all of the world’s superpowers. Why and how did the war come about? What was daily life like for soldiers in the trenches? What roles did zeppelins, barbed wire, and the passenger ship Lusitania play in the war? Who were Kaiser Wilhelm, the Red Baron, and Edith Cavell? Young history buffs will learn the answers these questions and many others, including why the western front bogged down into a long stalemate; how the war ushered in an era of rapid military, technological, and societal advances; and how the United States’ entry helped end the war.
Far from a dry catalog of names, dates, and battles, this richly illustrated book goes in depth into such fascinating topics as turn-of-the-20th-century weaponry and the important roles animals played in the war, and explains connections among events and how the war changed the course of history. Hands-on activities illuminate both the war and the times.
Kids can: Make a periscope, teach a dog to carry messages, make a parachute, learn a popular World War I song, cook Maconochie Stew and much more. 9 and up
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author!
As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success. They worked with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world’s first successful airplane. This is the story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher!
Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared
Benjamin A. Wilgus, Illustrated by Molly Brooks
Follow the famous aviators from their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, to the fields of North Carolina where they were to make their famous flights. In an era of dirigibles and hot air balloons, the Wright Brothers were among the first innovators of heavier than air flight.
But in the hotly competitive international race toward flight, Orville and Wilbur were up against a lot more than bad weather. Mechanical failures, lack of information, and even other aviators complicated the Wright Brothers’ journey. Though they weren’t as wealthy as their European counterparts, their impressive achievements demanded attention on the international stage. Thanks to their carefully recorded experiments and a healthy dash of bravery, the Wright Brothers’ flying machines took off. 9-13 years
Wright Brothers: Inventors Whose Ideas Really Took Flight
By Mike Venezia
Meet the Wright Brothers! Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Inventors and Scientists series combines a mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and cartoon-style illustrations. These bring to life the work and contributions of renowned scientists and inventors.
The Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and her Famous Brothers
By Richard Maurer
Not many people know that the Wright brothers had a sister, Katharine Wright. She supported her high-flying, inventor brothers through their aviation triumphs and struggles. This is her story.
On a chilly December day in 1903, a young woman came home from her teaching job in Dayton, Ohio, to find a telegram waiting for her. The woman was Katharine Wright. The telegram, from her brother Orville, announced the first successful airplane flight in history. Richard Maurer tells Katharine’s story. Smart and well-educated, she was both confidant and caregiver to her bachelor brothers. She managed many of their affairs, traveling with them on frequent trips to demonstrate and promote their invention. She cared for them when they were sick from disease and injury. In doing so, she gave up her ambitions as a teacher and her early hopes of marriage.
The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane
By Russell Freedman
This is a narrative account of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s story. They had little formal schooling but a knack for solving problems. The book chronicles their lives from their early mechanical work on toys and bicycles through the development of several flyers. The Wright Brothers follows the siblings through their achievements—not only the first powered, sustained, controlled airplane flight, but the numerous improvements and enhancements.
The Wright Brothers For Kids: They Invented the Airplane, 21 Activities Exploring Science and the History of Flight
By Mary Kay Carson
This activity book tells the true story of how two bicycle-making brothers from Ohio, with no more than high-school educations, accomplished a feat that forever changed the world. At a time when most people still hadn’t ridden in an automobile, Wilbur and Orville Wright built the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine.
Woven throughout the story of the two brothers are activities that highlight their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities as they overcame many obstacles to achieve controlled flight.
First Flight: The Wright Brothers DK Reader
By Leslie Garrett
In this DK Level 4 Reader, follow the story of brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright as they plan and build a flying machine!
Photographs combine with illustrations and age-appropriate stories to capture a child’s interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.
The Wright Brothers First Flight: A Fly on the Wall History
By Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Illustrated by Jomike Tejido
From a sandy North Carolina dune to mid air … Two cartoon flies join readers as they follow Orville and Wilbur Wright on their quest for flight. This book provides a blend of facts and fun while telling the story of a great moment in American and aviation history.
My Brother’s Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville and Me
By Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Jim Burke
In celebration of the Wright Brothers’ flight, this story is told from the point of view of their sister, Katharine, who watched her brothers play with a toy flying machine, which was the beginning of their remarkable collaboration.
The Story of the Wright Brothers
By Annette Whipple
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
Explore how the Wright brothers went from young boys growing up in Ohio to world-famous inventors, aviators, and businessmen. How will their hard work and big imaginations inspire you?
The Story of the Wright Brothers includes:
Lasting change―Learn about how the Wright brothers’ inventions changed how we live today.
Helpful glossary―Find definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book.
Visual timeline―Watch the Wright brothers progress from curious kids to famous flyers.
The Wright Brothers: Nose Diving into History
By Ben Thompson
A hilarious nonfiction look at two of history’s most epic “failures”: the Wright brothers, whose countless crashes ultimately led to groundbreaking success.
Although Orville and Wilbur Wright are celebrated today as heroes for their revolutionary contributions to science and engineering―they are acknowledged as the first men to successfully achieve powered, piloted flight―their success was hard-earned. (Spoiler alert: there were a lot of nosedives involved.) In fact, it took the self-taught engineers years of work and dozens of crashes before they managed a single twelve-second flight!
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence is a history of disease, and pestilence, told from the point of view of the bugs and pests that cause them. This book features case histories of epidemics and eyewitness accounts from the rats, flies, ticks and creepy-crawlies who spread diseases. There are lots of fascinating facts and figures on the biggest and worst afflictions. 7-12 years
Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History
By Bryn Barnard
Filled with fascinating, often gory details about disease and history, Outbreak! is the combination of science and history.
Did the Black Death destroy medieval Europe? Did cholera pave the way for modern Manhattan? Did yellow fever help end the slave trade? Remarkably, the answer to all of these questions is yes. Time and again, diseases have impacted the course of human history in surprisingly powerful ways. Bryn Barnard describes the symptoms and paths of the world’s worst diseases—and how the epidemics they spawned have changed history forever. 8-12 years
Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call the Medic?
By Baby Professor
What is the difference between epidemics and pandemics? Learn the difference and more in this biology book for kids. 6 and up
An American Plague:
The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
By Jim Murphy
In 1793, Philadelphia was the nation’s capital and the largest city in North America. It’s devastated by an apparently incurable disease, its cause unknown.
Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever. It took a toll on the city’s residents. He relates the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, he spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia’s free blacks in combating the epidemic. And the Constitutional crisis that President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city while escaping the deadly contagion. The search for the fever’s causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this story of a city under siege. 10-12 years
Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America
By Susan Campbell Bartoletti
What happens when a person’s reputation has been forever damaged? With archival photographs and text among other primary sources, this biography of Mary Mallon looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary’s controversial life. How she was treated by medical and legal officials reveals a lesser-known story of human and constitutional rights. It’s entangled with the science of pathology and the enduring questions about who Mary Mallon really was. How did her name become synonymous with deadly disease? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary? This exploration includes an author’s note, timeline, annotated source notes, and bibliography. 12 and up
Plague! Epidemics, and Scourges Through the Ages
By John Farndon, Illustrated by Venitia Dean
Being sick is horrible. But it used to be worse. Inside this book, you’ll see evidence of the plagues of the past―rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages. Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire. And Smallpox left its victims scarred for life―if they survived. At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. But eventually doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread. Being sick isn’t quite as sickening as it was in the past! 8-12 years
Purple Death
By David Getz
The Spanish Flu was one of the worst epidemics in this country’s history, and the search for its cause is still one of science’s most urgent quests. David Getz tells young readers the story of the mysterious flu known as the Purple Death―the virus responsible for the worst epidemic in American history.
It was 1918, the last year of World War I. Thousands of men lived in crowded army training camps that were scattered all across the United States. That spring, a strange flu struck the soldiers at a camp in the Midwest. Healthy young men went to the hospital complaining of sore throats and fevers. Within hours they had suffocated, their skin taking on a terrible purplish hue.
The devastating flu spread like wildfire across the country, infecting soldiers and civilians alike. It killed more than half a million people in a matter of months, then disappeared as suddenly as it had come.
To this day, no one knows what caused a common flu to become so deadly, but scientists are still searching for answers. What they discover could save millions of lives if another common flu virus suddenly turns into a killer. 7-10 years
Fever 1793
By Laurie Halse Anderson
An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of Philadelphia.
During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.
The epidemic sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie’s world upside down. At her feverish mother’s insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
