Wednesday, November 25, 2020

November 2020: New Kids & Teen Non-Fiction at the Takoma Park Maryland Library

 Many kids -- teens, too -- are keen on non-fiction. Here are some of new non-fiction books for kids, and a couple for teens. I've included a photo of each book cover, plus a write-up by the publisher of the book. The books are divided between those for kids and those for teens, but aren't otherwise organized. Remember that these books are now in our catalog, and can be checked out via our "Books-to-Go" curbside service. Details are here: http://www.takomapark.info/library/curbside.html


                                                  NEW KIDS NON-FICTION:


"Joey is the first ever picture book about the young life of Joe Biden, the 47th Vice President of the United States, and includes never before told family stories about the president-elect and former vice president's childhood, written by Jill Biden, his spouse.

Joe Biden grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His parents always encouraged him and his siblings to be independent and strong. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where at twenty-nine, Biden was one the youngest United States Senators ever elected. This is his story." (From the publisher, Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster)




 "Demonstrating the power of protest and standing up for a just cause, here is an exciting tribute to the educators who participated in the 1965 Selma Teachers' March.

Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he recognized that his colleagues were viewed with great respect in the city. Could he convince them to risk their jobs--and perhaps their lives--by organizing a teachers-only march to the county courthouse to demand their right to vote? On January 22, 1965, the Black teachers left their classrooms and did just that, with Reverend Reese leading the way. Noted nonfiction authors Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace conducted the last interviews with Reverend Reese before his death in 2018 and interviewed several teachers and their family members in order to tell this story, which is especially important today." (From the publisher, Calkins Creek)




"From a New York Times bestselling author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin that pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves.

Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father's Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves.

Her string of hit songs earned her the title "the Queen of Soul," multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn't just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.

This authoritative, rhythmic picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha's inspiring story." (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)




"From a beloved voice in children’s literature comes this landmark memoir of hope amid harrowing times and an engaging and unusual Holocaust story.

With backlist sales of over 2.3 million copies, Uri Shulevitz, one of FSG BYR’s most acclaimed picture-book creators, details the eight-year odyssey of how he and his Jewish family escaped the terrors of the Nazis by fleeing Warsaw for the Soviet Union in Chance.

It was during those years, with threats at every turn, that the young Uri experienced his awakening as an artist, an experience that played a key role during this difficult time. By turns dreamlike and nightmarish, this heavily illustrated account of determination, courage, family loyalty, and the luck of coincidence is a true publishing event." (From the publisher, FSR BYR/Macmillan)




Get kids thinking with this primer on sky, land, and sea animal migrations.

"Did you know Arctic terns migrate farther than any other animal? Gray whales can swim up to 12,000 miles during their migration journeys and Emperor penguins walk about 125 miles over ice to reach their nesting grounds.

Gail Gibbons explores the many reasons why animals migrate, using direct sentences, maps, infographics, and illustrations. Featuring over 30 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fishes, this nonfiction picture book is perfect for aspiring zookeepers and animal-lovers. Fully vetted for accuracy by James Doherty, Curator Emeritus, The New York Zoological Society.

This title is part of the Explore the World . . . with Gail Gibbons series, which promotes active learning, good citizenship, and student leadership." (From the publisher, Holiday House)



"History comes home in a deeply moving, exquisitely illustrated tale of a small house, taken by the Nazis, that harbors a succession of families and becomes a quiet witness to a tumultuous century

"
The days went around like a wheel.
"The sun rose, warming the walls of the house."

On the outskirts of Berlin, Germany, a wooden cottage stands on the shore of a lake. Over the course of a hundred years, this little house played host to a kind Jewish doctor and his family, a successful Nazi composer, wartime refugees, and a secret-police informant. During that time, as a world war came and went and the Berlin Wall arose just a stone's throw from the back door, the house filled up with myriad everyday moments. And when that time was over, and the dwelling was empty and derelict, the great-grandson of the man who built the house felt compelled to bring it back to life and listen to the story it had to tell. Illuminated by Britta Teckentrup's magnificent illustrations, Thomas Harding's narration reads like a haunting fairy tale, a lyrical picture-book rendering of the story he first shared in an acclaimed personal history for adult readers." (From the publisher, Candlewick Press)


"Discover the fascinating life of world-renowned scientist Jonas Salk, whose pioneering discoveries changed the world forever.

Dr. Jonas Salk is one of the most celebrated doctors and medical researchers of the 20th century. The child of immigrants who never learned to speak English, Jonas was struck by the devastation he saw when the soldiers returned from battle after WWII. Determined to help, he worked to become a doctor and eventually joined the team that created the influenza vaccine. But Jonas wanted to do more. As polio ravaged the United States--even the president was not immune!--Jonas decided to lead the fight against this terrible disease. In 1952, Dr. Jonas Salk invented the polio vaccine, which nearly eliminated polio from this country. For the rest of his life, Dr. Salk continued to do groundbreaking medical research at the Salk Institute, leaving behind a legacy that continues to make the world a better place every day.

This compelling picture book biography sheds light on Dr. Salk's groundbreaking journey and the importance of vaccination." (From the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf/Penguin Random House)


"The poignant story of Blind Willie Johnson--the legendary Texas musician whose song "Dark Was the Night" was included on the Voyager I space probe's Golden Record

Willie Johnson was born in 1897, and from the beginning he loved to sing--and play his cigar box guitar. But his childhood was interrupted when he lost his mother and his sight. How does a blind boy make his way in the world? Fortunately for Willie, the music saved him and brought him back into the light. His powerful voice, combined with the wailing of his slide guitar, moved people. Willie made a name for himself performing on street corners all over Texas. And one day he hit it big when he got a record deal and his songs were played on the radio. Then in 1977, his song--"Dark Was the Night"--was chosen to light up the darkness when it was launched into space on the Voyager I space probe's famous Golden Record. His immortal song was selected for the way it expresses the loneliness humans all feel, while reminding us we're not alone. "(From the publisher, Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House)




"Mighty Mechanics is a must read book showcasing a gallery of vehicles that appeal to fact hungry children. Follow the mighty mechanics as they look after TRACTORS, TRUCKS, MONSTER & EMERGENCY VEHICLES, EXCAVATORS and much, much more…" (From the publisher, Beetle Books)




                                                TEEN NON-FICTION:


"An essential overview of the science behind stereotypes: from why our brains form them to how recognizing them can help us be less biased.

From the time we're babies, our brains constantly sort and label the world around us --- a skill that's crucial for our survival. But, as adolescents are all too aware, there's a tremendous downside: when we do this to groups of people it can cause great harm. Here's a comprehensive introduction to the science behind stereotypes that will help young people make sense of why we classify people, and how we can change our thinking. It covers the history of identifying stereotypes, secret biases in our brains, and how stereotypes affect our sense of self. Most importantly, it covers current research into how science can help us overcome our biases, offering hope for a future where stereotypes are less prevalent and the world is more fair for everyone.

Written by award-winning author Tanya Lloyd Kyi, this timely and hopeful book addresses the issues of discrimination, racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia and offers concrete suggestions on how to make change. It uses scientific inquiry and loads of relatable and interesting examples to explore these uncomfortable topics in age-appropriate and engaging ways. Chapters, sidebars and colorful illustrations break the text into manageable chunks. Besides the many ways this book could be used to inspire frank and in-depth discussions on the importance of addressing stereotypes and bias, it also links to many science and social studies curriculum topics. Backmatter includes an extensive list of sources, suggestions for further reading and an index." (From the publisher, Kids Can Press).




"A YA Nonfiction book about the history of Fake News and tips for how to spot it"-- (From the publisher, Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan)



Up Next..... New Kids Graphic Novels.....






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