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The Undefeated

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The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Everyone

This Newbery Award-winning author has written a gripping and moving poem to honor Black American life, both their triumphs and their troubles. The stunning illustrations, drawn by Kadir Nelson, pull the reader into the further by creating haunting and captivating atmospheres. There are portraits of famous, history makers, as well as depictions of the horrors committed against African Americans.

This is a beautiful, thought provoking book that also brings hope and joy. Find it in the catalog.

 

Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint

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Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint by Demi
Publication Date: April 7, 2019
Who it’s for: Kids

Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098, and she was one of the most remarkable and influential women of her time. Blessed with an astonishing array of talents, Hildegard was a mystic, theologian, scientist, doctor, nutritionist, composer, writer, linguist, and artist. Popes and kings, as well as humble peasants, sought her wise counsel. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is recognized as a saint and doctor by the Catholic Church and is  revered by many Lutherans and other Protestants. Find out more about her life in this beautifully illustrated book by award-winning author, Demi.

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Find more  illustrated biographies by Demi

There Are No Bears In This Bakery

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There Are No Bears in This Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Muffin the Cat takes her job providing security for her human owner’s bakery very seriously. Each night, while the baker sleeps, Muffin listens for sounds to alert her to trouble, like the rustle and squeak of mice, or the rattle and clang of raccoons. But one night, she hears a new sound. Is it rumbling? Is it growling? What could it be? Certainly not a BEAR in the bakery?! Read on to see what Muffin finds, what she does about it, and what becomes of the bakery’s stock of treats and sweets in this sweet and funny sequel to A Bear Ate Your Sandwich.

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Finding Langston

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Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Kids

In 1946, Langston and his Dad move to Chicago from rural Alabama.  His mother recently passed away and he is feeling a little lost in this big city.   The city is so noisy and everyone calls him “Country boy” because he has an accent and wears overalls.  He hasn’t made any friends and is experiencing bullying from a few kids in his class.  In order to avoid the bullies, one day he goes a different way home from school and discovers the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library.

The library becomes his home away from home.  He never imagined such a wonderful place and they allow colored folks!  The first book he finds is by Langston Hughes and he wonders if he was named after him?  He finds he has a lot in common with Mr. Hughes and soon discovers more poetry and writings by other Negro writers.

Langston’s journey to discovering himself is beautifully written by Ms. Cline-Ransome.  This is truly a lovely book.  It’s a love story for libraries and writers.  And, it’s a story about the Great Migration when many blacks from the South migrated to the North after World War II.

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Little Dreamers is a collection of true stories about the women creators, inventors, scientists, artists, and thinkers who changed the world with their ideas. From computer programmer Ada Lovelace to activist Wangari Maathai, this book tells the inspirational tales of those women whom perhaps were previously left out of history’s spotlight. The contributions of these women had profound influence in their respective cultures and ultimately helped to shape our world as we know it today.

The recognition given to each of these women’s accomplishments is presented by Vashti Harrison in a format that is both informative and succinct which would appeal well to the younger, targeted age group. However, I do believe that this could be an enjoyable book for readers of all ages. Harrison’s stories paired with her charming illustrations create a visually appealing timeline; one can flip through the book noting the distinct changes to the illustrations for each woman. While each woman is artistically rendered to represent her unique self, there is a standard stylistic format the author uses for her illustrations which implies that these women are of a strong and singular power. I found this book important because it reminds young audiences us that even the visionary, trail-blazing women of history were all once little dreamers, who dared to dream big.

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Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, & the Rise of Urban Wildlife

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The cover of the book "Backyard Bears"Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, & the Rise of Urban Wildlife by Amy E. Cherrix (Scientists in the Field series)
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

When you picture a scientist, do you think of somebody in a white coat working in a laboratory? The Scientists in the Field books show a whole different side of science- people who dive deep underwater, hike through jungles, climb volcanoes, crawl through caves, and (in this latest volume) track bears in their habitats. Backyard Bears is the story of a group of wildlife scientists learning about bears that live not in the wilderness, but in the city of Asheville, North Carolina. How did there get to be bears in a big city? What do they eat, where do they live, and how do they take care of their cubs? Are city bears dangerous to people and pets? Or are people more dangerous to bears? How many bears can live in Asheville, and still have enough to eat and places  to live? Follow wildlife scientists as they track bears, climb trees, and use technology to find the answers.

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Find other Scientists in the Field books