Flames consume a forest, and an owl seeks refuge. Helicopter wings chop, and water drops to drench the branches below. Using spare, lyrical language, this debut picture book takes readers inside the journey of a screech owl that fled the flames to ride along with a firefighting helicopter during the 2020 California Creek wildfire. Vivid imagery highlights the fear and danger of the experience–as well as an astonishing moment of connection. 5-8 years
Fire Escape: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires
By Jessica Stremer, Illustrated by Michael Garland
Goats and beavers. Drones and parachutes. Pinecones and beetles. What do they have in common? Believe it or not, they are all crucial tools in fighting, preventing, and adapting to wildfires!
These vicious fires are spreading faster and burning hotter than at any other time in history. Ongoing droughts, warming weather, and a history of poor forest management have extended the traditional wildfire season beyond the summer months. It is a matter of life and death for wildlife worldwide.
This nonfiction book focuses on unique angles to a hot topic, including injury rehabilitation efforts, species that use wildfires to their advantage, how to help area repopulation, and the animals that help to prevent and fight wildfires. A riveting, kid friendly text is accompanied by stunning woodcut illustrations and full-color photographs, as well as extensive back matter with glossary, sources, and index. 8-12 years
When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildfire in America
By Albert Marrin
Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire–it’s as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path.
In this book, you’ll find out about:
how and why wildfires happen
how different groups, from Native Americans to colonists, from conservationists to modern industrialists, have managed forests and fire
the biggest wildfires in American history–how they began and dramatic stories of both rescue and tragedy
what we’re doing today to fight forest fires
Chock full of dramatic stories, fascinating facts, and compelling photos, When Forests Burn teaches us about the past–and shows a better way forward in the future. 10-14 years
Fire in Their Eyes: Wildfires and the People Who Fight Them
By Karen Magnuson Beil
What drives some people to stand in the path of a wall of flame? Who are these brave, foolhardy, visionary firefighters? This intimate look at the elite groups that fight wildfires explores the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of these courageous few as they battle wilderness blazes from Alaska to Maine. From the grueling training of a smokejumper class in Montana, through harrowing fights with some up-close-and-personal wildfires, to a group of inspired conservationists who use fire as a tool for preservation, Karen Magnuson Beil takes readers where only a few have ventured–into the heart of one of nature’s most destructive andunpredictable forces: fire. 10-12 years
I Survived the California Wild Fires
by Lauren Tarshis
The people of Northern California were used to living with the threat of wildfires. But nothing could have prepared them for the devastating 2018 fire season, the deadliest in 100 years and the most destructive in history. In the 20th I Survived book, readers join eleven-year-old Josh as he leaves his New Jersey home for the rural northern California town where his cousins live. Still reeling from the life-changing challenges that propelled him and his mother across the country, Josh struggles to adapt to a more rustic, down-to-earth lifestyle that couldn’t be more different from the one he is used to. Josh and his cousin bond over tacos and reptiles and jokes, but on a trip into the nearby forest, they suddenly find themselves in the path of a fast-moving firestorm, a super-heated monster that will soon lay waste to millions of acres of wilderness and — possibly — their town. Josh needs to confront the family issues burning him up inside, but first he’ll have to survive the flames blazing all around him. 8-11 years
Wildfires: National Geographic Readers
by Kathy Furgang
Learn all about wildfires—how they happen, why they’re important, and when they’re dangerous—in this fascinating level 3 reader. It’s sure to ignite your interest, with color photographs, interesting facts, and more. 6-8 years
Extreme Wildfire: Smoke Jumpers, High-Tech Gear, Survival Tactics, and the Extraordinary Science of Fire
By Mark Thiessen
In one moment, there’s a simple spark, and then roaring flames surge 200 feet into the air, devouring forests. Trees, from root to canopy, are burned to the ground. Airtankers and helicopters hover above, executing an air attack. Brave firefighters, equipped with flame resistant suits, leap from helicopters onto the treetops and descend to the blazing forest floor. In this book, young readers will learn about the ecological impacts of wildfires, the ins and outs of fire science including tactics for prevention and containment, cutting-edge technology used to track wildfires and predict fire behavior, and about the impressive skill, survival tactics, and bravery required to control a wildfire. Also included are expert tips, fun facts, and breathtaking photos taken by the author. 8-12 years
Escape From the Wildfire
By Dorothy Bentley
Escape from the Wildfire offers a fictional account based on the real-life facts of the disastrous wildfire of 2021 that destroyed the town of Lytton, British Columbia after days of scorching heat. Dorothy Bentley’s own experiences of living through a wildfire led her to research the experience of Lytton residents so she could write the story of a resilient teen surviving an environmental catastrophe.
The summer of 2021 is hot even for B.C.’s arid interior under a record-breaking heat dome. Fourteen-year-old Jack hangs out with his friends Scott, Tess, and Indigenous teen Rory. On June 30, a wildfire inferno descends with horrifying suddenness. Jack must flee for his life, evacuated to a nearby town. Jack and his friends are aware of the context and possible causes of the wildfire He must come to terms with the loss of his entire village, the idea of starting all over again, and the need to change how we interact with the climate we depend on to survive. 11-18 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
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brillance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made of
By Kirsten W. Larson, Illustrated by Katherine Roy
A poetic picture book celebrating the life and scientific discoveries of the groundbreaking astronomer Cecilia Payne!
Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn’t start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl full of curiosity, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe. 5-8 years
Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secret of the Atom
By Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Rebecca Huang
When Wu Chien Shiung was born in China 100 years ago, most girls did not attend school; no one considered them as smart as boys. But her parents felt differently. Giving her a name meaning “Courageous Hero,” they encouraged her love of learning and science. This engaging biography follows Wu Chien Shiung as she battles sexism and racism to become what Newsweek magazine called the “Queen of Physics” for her work on beta decay.
Along the way, she earned the admiration of famous scientists like Enrico Fermi and Robert Oppenheimer and became the first woman hired as an instructor by Princeton University. The first woman elected President of the American Physical Society. The first scientist to have an asteroid named after her when she was still alive, and many other honors. 5 years +
One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon and a Lifelong Mission
By Katherine Johnson, Illustrated by Charnelle Barlow
This inspirational picture book reveals what is was like for a young black mother of three to navigate the difficult world of the 1950s and 60s and to succeed in an unwelcoming industry to become one of the now legendary “hidden figures” of NASA computing and space research.
Johnson’s own empowering narrative is complemented by the recollections of her two daughters about their mother’s work and insights about how she illuminated their paths, including one daughter’s fight for civil rights and another’s journey to become a NASA mathematician herself.
Filled with personal reflections, exclusive family archival photos, and striking illustrations, readers will be immersed in this deeply personal portrayal of female empowerment, women in STEM, and the breaking down of race barriers across generations. Historical notes, photo/illustration notes, and a time line put the story into historical and modern-day context. 4-8 years
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, The First Paleontologist
By Linda Skeers, Illustrated by Marta Álvarez 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.
Educational backmatter includes a timeline of Mary Anning’s life and lots of fantastic fossil facts! 3-8 years
The Girl With the Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague
By Julia Finley Mosca, Illustrated by Daniel Rieley
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever. In addition to the illustrated rhyming text, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Montague herself! 7-10 years
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power Revolutionary Marine Scientist
By Evan Griffith, Illustrated by Joanie Stone
How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever.
Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her. 6-9 years
Shark Lady
The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist
By Jess Keating, Illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn’t think women should be scientists.
Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname “Shark Lady.” Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. 3-8 years
The Story of Jane Goodall
By Susan B. Katz
Jane Goodall is a celebrated scientist for her studies of chimpanzees in the forests of Africa. Before she observed chimps and helped save them from losing their home, Jane was a curious kid who loved learning about animals. She showed people that women could be scientists, just like men, and fought to follow her dream of working with wild chimps. Explore how Jane Goodall went from being a young nature lover in England to the most important chimpanzee expert in the world. 6-9 years
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science
By Joyce Sidman
One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will inspire young scientists. 6-9 years
Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists
By Martha Freeman, Illustrated by Katy Wu
Why do galaxies spin the way they do? What’s the best kind of house for a Komodo dragon? Can you cure malaria with medicine made from a plant?
The scientists and mathematicians in Born Curious sought answers to these and many other fascinating questions. And it’s lucky for us they did. Without their vision, insight, and hard work, the world would be a sicker, dirtier, and more dangerous place.
The twenty groundbreaking women—including Rosalind Franklin, Marie Tharp, Shirley Anne Jackson, and more—came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of life experiences. Some grew up rich. Some grew up poor. Some were always the smartest kid in class. Some struggled to do well in school. But all had one thing in common: They were born curious. Are you curious, too? 7-12 years
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
By Rachel Ignotofsky
It’s a scientific fact: Women rock! This fascinating, educational collection features 50 illustrated portraits of trailblazing women in STEM throughout history. Full of striking, singular art, Women in Science also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary. The trailblazing women profiled include such pioneers as primatologist Jane Goodall and mathematician Katherine Johnson, who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists, and more! 7 years+
The book descriptions 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
By Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Celebrated author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper provide a powerful look at the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation’s history. The book traces the history of African Americans in Tulsa’s Greenwood district and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked the Black community.
News of what happened was largely suppressed, and no official investigation occurred for seventy-five years. This picture book sensitively introduces young readers to this tragedy and concludes with a call for a better future. 6 years+
What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre?
By Caleb Gayle, Illustrated by Tim Foley
Before May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a thriving neighborhood of 10,000 Black residents. There, Black families found success and community. They ran their own businesses, including barbershops, clothing stores, jewelers, restaurants, movie theatres, and more. There were also Black doctors, dentists, and lawyers to serve the neighborhood. Then, in one weekend, all of this was lost. A racist mob tore through the streets, burning everything to the ground and killing scores of innocent residents. Learn about what led to one of the worst moments of racial violence in America’s history in this nonfiction book for young readers. 8-12 years
Tulsa Burning
By Anna Myers
The day he buried his pa, Nobe Chase lost everything–his father, his home, and his dog. Worst yet, he had to move into town to live with Sheriff Leonard, the man who’d shot his dog dead. From that moment, hate burns in Nobe’s heart. Soon he learns how dangerous that can be when hate sparks a race riot in nearby Tulsa. When the violence spills over into his hometown, Nobe must decide what kind of man he is going to become–one driven by vengeance or honor. 10-13 years
Tulsa Race Massacre
By Kara L. Laughlin
An introduction into the violent Tulsa Race Massacre that occurred from May 31-June 1, 1921. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research. 9-12 years
Lena and the Burning of Greenwood: A Tulsa Race Massacre Survival Story
By Nikki Shannon Smith, Illustrated by Markia Jenai
In the early 1920s, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the wealthiest Black community in the United States. But Tulsa is still a segregated city. “Black Wall Street” and white Tulsa are very much divided. Twelve-year-old Lena knows this, but she feels safe and sheltered from the racism in her successful, flourishing neighborhood.
That all changes when Dick Rowland, a young Black man from Greenwood, is accused of assaulting a white woman. Racial tensions boil over. Mobs of white citizens attack Greenwood, terrorizing Black residents and businesses, and forcing many–including Lena and her family–to flee. Now Lena must help her family survive one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history. Readers can learn the real story of the Tulsa Race Massacre from the nonfiction backmatter, including a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and author’s note. 8-12 years
Greenwood Gone: Henry’s Story
By Sioux Roslawski
Greenwood District, Oklahoma, 1921: Twelve-year-old Henry Simmons has lived his entire life in Greenwood, Oklahoma, a district in the northern part of Tulsa. He’s loved by his parents and neighbors, annoyed by his little sister, and protected by his community, a neighborhood full of hard-working, successful Black people like his mama and daddy. People call Greenwood “Black Wall Street,” and Henry plans to grow up there until he becomes a famous writer or baseball player—or both.
Sure, he sees racism firsthand when he goes with his daddy to “White Tulsa.” But for most of his life, as long as his friends and neighbors stay in Greenwood, the White folks of Tulsa don’t cause too much trouble in Henry’s life. Until May 31, 1921.That’s the night Henry’s life changes forever. His family’s life changes forever. All the neighborhoods of Greenwood change forever—because 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a Black shoeshiner working in Tulsa, is accused of assaulting a White female elevator operator.
That accusation and Dick’s arrest turn into twelve hours of terror for Greenwood residents. And Henry and his family are right in the middle of the chaos, hate, and massacre. For these twelve hours, Henry, his mother, and his younger sister Livvie watch White men and women destroy their neighborhood while they miss Daddy, who went to help protect Dick at the courthouse. Sometimes, Henry, Mama, and Livvie hide; sometimes, they flee; and always, they are shocked by the terrifying behavior of their fellow human beings. 9-12 years
Dreamland Burning
By Jennifer Latham
When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family’s property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the present and the past.
Nearly one hundred years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels seventeen-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm. In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what’s right the night Tulsa burns.
Through interwoven alternating perspectives, Jennifer Latham’s lightning-paced page-turner brings the Tulsa race riot of 1921 to life and raises important questions about the complex state of US race relations–both yesterday and today. Young Adult
The Burning (Young Readers Edition)
Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre
By Tim Madigan, adapted for young readers by Hilary Beard
One of the worst acts of racist violence in American history took place in 1921, when a White mob numbering in the thousands decimated the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Burning recreates Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explores the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its Black residents and Tulsa’s White population, narrates events leading up to and including Greenwood’s devastation, and documents the subsequent silence that surrounded this tragedy. Delving into history that’s long been pushed aside, this is the true story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, with updates that connect the historical significance of the massacre to the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. 12-18 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
Jack’s Path to Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy
By Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Matt Tavares
John F. Kennedy was a popular and charismatic president beloved by many. But he didn’t always believe he had the strength or courage for that office. As a child he was sickly and overshadowed by his strong, capable, athletic older brother Joe, Jr. After Joe’s death, John had to work hard to live up to his own expectations and to those of his father. He overcame physical pain and self-doubt to see the country through one of the most difficult crises in its history. 6-9 years
Who Was John F. Kennedy
By Yona Zeldis McDonough, Illustrated by Jill Weber
John F. Kennedy fought and won his first battle at the age of two-and-a-half when sick with scarlet fever. He went on to save the lives of his PT-109 crewmen during WWII and become the 35th President of the United States. Although his presidency was cut short, our nation’s youngest elected leader left an indelible mark on the American consciousness. 8-12 years
JFK
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by A. G. Ford
JFK tells how a little boy grew up to be president in a story about hope and courage and the power of words. It details John F. Kennedy’s childhood as well as his presidency and includes the Cuban missile crisis, the civil rights movement, the Camelot years, and a firsthand account of his assassination. 4-8 years
Pocket Bios: John F. Kennedy
By Al Berenger
John F. Kennedy was an incredibly popular American politician who served as 35th President of the United States from 1961 to 1963, during the Cold War. As president, he most notably supported the African American Civil Rights Movement, authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion on the southern coast of Cuba, and dealt with the Cuban Missile Crisis. His family was greatly admired around the world, and his tragic assassination in Dallas, Texas, had a lasting effect on the American psyche. 4-7 years
A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy’s Big Speech
By Shana Corey, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
From prominent leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson to children and teenagers, it was the people speaking out and working for civil rights through sits-ins, freedom rides, and marches who led John F. Kennedy to take a stand. And with his June 11, 1963, civil rights address, he did.
This is the story of JFK—from his childhood to the events that led to his game-changing speech and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Corey and Christie offer a deeply human look at our country’s thirty-fifth president, underscoring how each one of us, no matter who we are, have the power to make a difference. 8 years+
Action Presidents: John F. Kennedy
By Fred Van Lente, Illustrated by Ryan Dunlavey
U.S. history comes to life like never before in this full-color graphic novel! We all know that John F. Kennedy was a World War II hero and a pro at giving speeches. But did you also know he survived shark-infested waters, suffered a case of mistaken identity, and once used a coconut to send a secret message? 8-12 years
John F. Kennedy: A Photographic Sbtory of a Life
By Howard S. Kaplan
This DK biography tells the story of an incredible leader and legend, John F. Kennedy. It includes photographs, definitions of key words, and sidebars on related subjects. 10 and up
Tragedy in Dallas: The Story of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy
By Steven Otfinoski
In an immersive, exciting narrative nonfiction format, this powerful book follows a selection of people who experienced the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. 9-12 years
The book descriptions 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
