Review: "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy

Did you know that most of Chicago used to be built out of wood? From houses to factories to government buildings, the city was teeming with wooden structures. Even the sidewalks were wooden. It was a fire's dream and a people's nightmare.

"The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy tells the harrowing true story of the 1871 fire that devastated Chicago. Both mesmerizing and horrifying, the reader will follow the growth of the fire from the first sign of smoke in a neighborhood barn to the ashen remains of the once thriving metropolis. Poor weather conditions and a series of seemingly minor mistakes led to the destruction of the majority of the city and over 100,000 homeless. The book utilizes four real life survivors to show us the experiences of the people duriing the fire: Joseph Chamberlin (a young news reporter), Horace White (the editor in chief of the Chicago Tribune), Alexander Frear (in Chicago visiting relatives), and Claire Innes (a twelve year old girl who is separated from her family in the fiery streets). Illustrations and historic photographs depict the terrifying events as they unfold. You'll learn about the steam fire trucks of the time and the elaborate fire warning system that still did not save the city. As the fire unfolds, maps depict the spread of the Great Fire from one small neighborhood to the entirety of the downtown area.

"The Great Fire" is a Newbery Honor book and is recommended for grades three to seven. Click on the link to reserve a copy today.

--Madeline B., Mid County

Review: "The First Olympics of Ancient Greece"

With this summer's Olympics just around the corner, it's a great time to read about "The First Olympics of Ancient Greece."  In this non-fiction title by Lisa Bolt Simons, readers will learn which events took place and who participated at the first games.  It includes photos of original artifacts and illustrations depicting the action.  There is also a glossary of terms in the back to help readers with new or challenging words.

I recommend this book for readers in Kindergarten through second grade, but any fan of the Olympics will enjoy it!

--Angie R-H, Cliff Cave

Review: "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse

"Daddy came in, 

he sat across from Ma and blew his nose. 

Mud streamed out. 

He coughed and spit out mud. 

If he had cried, 

his tears would have been mud too, 

but he didn't cry.”

Billie Jo Kelby is a teen living in the Oklahoma Panhandle during the dust storms of 1934 to 1935. Crops are dying from lack of water.  The cattle are walking skeletons. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but dry, desolate dust.

It gets thru the cracks of windows and doors. It turns the drinking water brown and makes the food, what there is of it, taste gritty.

The Kelby family tries to hold out for better times to come, after all Billie Jo’s mother is due to have a baby soon and it has to rain sometime, right?  But there is a terrible accident and the family is thrown into a black menacing storm they may never heal from.

"Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse won the Newbery Award and the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction.  It is an ALA Notable Children’s Book and an ALA Best Books for Young Adults.  Grade 5 and up.

--Trea P., Bridgeton Trails

Celebrating African American Children's Literature: Carole Boston Weatherford

Author and poet, Carole Boston Weatherford, has written many award winning picture books that share African American history with young readers. Each picture book informs and celebrates with both a story and accompanying historical notes.

Award winning “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom”, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, presents the courage and spirituality of Harriet Tubman, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Carole Boston Weatherford creates a narrative for young readers that awes and inspires.

“Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America” celebrates the creative talents of Gordon Parks who earned the National Medal of the Arts in 1988. A self-taught photographer, Gordon Parks worked for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) and documented the poverty and segregation of the Great Depression.  Later, Gordon Parks became the first African American staff photographer at  "Life Magazine".

“Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins” presents the story of the Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins from a child’s perspective. Connie tells the story of segregation, Dr. King’s visit, the seven months of civil disobedience, and her family’s pride while sharing a meal at the Woolworth counter. At the end of the book we find an author’s note with additional historical information, including an interview with the Greensboro Four.

--Teresa, Sachs

Staff Review: "The Beatles" by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom

I always say that you can tell a lot about a person by their favorite Beatles album.  My Mom's is Abbey Road, but my Dad's was the White Album: evidence that opposites attract. Personally, my go-to is Rubber Soul. It's their sixth alum with songs you might recognize: Michelle, In My Life, Drive My Car, Nowhere Man.  I was raised with the songs of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.  

"The Beatles" by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom is a great introduction for children who want to learn about the band.  It starts with their childhoods, how they met, and the humble beginnings of The Beatles.  The format reminds me of a scrapbook with comics and historical background information in the sidebars.  The author describes the history and eventual breakup of the band in a way that children can understand without talking down to them.  There is a glossary in the back to define words they are unfamiliar with such as "record" and "hippie".  I like the soft lines and bold colors of the illustrations, but the one thing that would have made this book better is photos in the back.  

School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 3-5.

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "100 Inventions That Made History" by Tracey Turner

Can't get enough info in your life? You've come to the right place! The library is chock full of books filled with interesting and weird facts. In the latest release from DK, "100 Inventions That Made History" by Tracey Turner, readers learn about 100 different inventions (I bet you couldn't guess that one!) that have had a significant impact on humanity. From toilets to microchips, the curious kid in your house will love learning about all the people and products that have changed our lives. Related in small snippets interspersed with photos and humorous artwork, any grade-schooler will love leafing through this book.

Dewey Number: 609

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library" by Barbara Rosenstock

“Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library” written by Barbara Rosenstock, and illustrated by John O'Brien is the story of Thomas Jefferson the reader, not the President. Thomas Jefferson read every subject and collected books, an expensive hobby as one book might cost more than the average person would earn in a lifetime. When Thomas became President he expanded the Library of Congress, a very small library at the time, and hired the first librarian to run it. When Britain once again went to war with the United States in 1814 the Library of Congress was burned. Thomas Jefferson sent more than 6,500 books from his personal library to rebuild the Library of Congress. If you like to read, and who doesn't, you will enjoy this story of a voracious reader and how important he was to his country and its main library. He was a man that may not have become President had he not learned so many things about the world from reading many books.

Mary G., Grand Glaize

Dewey Discoveries: "Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History" by Lois Miner Huey

Calling all grossology historians! I bet you had no idea that 150 years ago, American streets were paved with poo, that bugs swarmed beds to bite you at night, or that doctors routinely bled their patients in an attempt to heal their sicknesses. For more disgustingly fascinating info on early America, check out "Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History" by Lois Miner Huey and prepare to feel nauseous. For grades 4-8.

Dewey Number 973



--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Pandemic Survival: It's Why You're Alive" by Ann Love and Jane Drake

History is filled with life-threatening diseases that have wiped out entire populations. It's also filled with courageous people who fought those diseases, studied them and developed vaccines and cures for many of these illnesses. In a fusion of history, science, and sociology, Anne Love and Jane Drake have created a book that almost any kid could get into with "Pandemic Survival: It's Why You're Alive." From the bubonic plague to influenza, they cover the causes, symptoms, time and group, and the effects of the leading pandemics through the ages. They also chronicle the development of vaccines and cures, and talk about disease prevention. Heavy on text, this book is most appropriate for middle schoolers.

Dewey Number 614.4

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Dewey Discoveries: "A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis" by Matt De la Pena

In a time when the world was dark with war and our nation was still very racially divided, boxer Joe Louis offered a taste of hope. Louis' journey and famous match are simply and lovingly chronicled in , "A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis." Written with grace and simplicity by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by the beloved Kadir Nelson, it is a wonderful homage to Louis' lasting legacy. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today. Appropriate for grades 3-5.

Dewey: J 796.83


Want more books about Joe Louis? Check out these books:

"Knockout: a Photobiography of Boxer Joe Louis" by George Sullivan

"Joe Louis: America's Fighter" by David A. Adler






--Andrea W., H.Q. 

Dewey Discoveries: "Noah Webster and His Words" by Jeri Chase Ferris

We are now going to talk about the Founding Fathers, so put on your serious face and white wig, please. Are you ready? Good, because today I'm going to tell you about a silly biography of Noah Webster. I know--when you think of Noah Webster, you think of the giant dusty dictionary on your shelf (perhaps with leaves pressed inside), but he actually was a real (and brilliant!) person once upon a time. In "Noah Webster and His Words," author Jeri Chase Ferris walks us through Webster's life with levity and excellent story-telling skills.

"Noah Webster always knew he was right, and he never got tired of saying so (even if, sometimes, he wasn't). He was, he said, "full of CON-FI-DENCE" [noun: belief that one is right] from the very beginning."

With comedic illustrations by Vincent X. Kirsch and word definitions sprinkled humorously throughout the text, students will be so entertained that they will love learning about Noah Webster's life. Webster was a brilliant and busy man, and we have him to thank for not only American English as we know it, but also in part, the formation of America as a united nation. As a fitting tribute to an important and lively man, I recommend this book for kindergarten readers up through third graders.

Dewey Number: JB Webster Noah

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. For another fun founding fathers book, click on the title below.

New Books: African American Heroes

Here are a couple of inspiring new books about African Americans.  They're great reads for Black History Month or any time!

"Fifty Cents and a Dream" by Jabari Asima and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Booker T. Washington was born into slavery.  He worked hard with his family and was not allowed to go to school.  After the Civil War, he learned to read, but he dreamed of a school where he could study writing.  With only fifty cents in his pocket, he left his home and walked 500 miles to study at the Hampton Institute.  Booker had followed his dreams; he had make it to college. 

"I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King with paintings by Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson is a two time Coretta Scott King Award winner for his books We Are the Ship and Heart and Soul.  In this book, Kadir uses his signature oil paintings to express Dr. King's words from his famous I Have a Dream speech.  It is not the entire speech, but the parts that he chose perfectly compliment the illustrations.  As a bonus, the book includes a CD with an original recoding of Dr. King's speech from 1963. 

These books would be just right for children 5-8 years old.
For more books of inspiring African Americans, click on the covers below:

The library has a lot of great programs to celebrate Black History Month.  Check it out!

--Angie R., Headquarters

Staff review: "Sarah Gives Thanks" by Mike Allegra

Why is Thanksgiving on a Thursday in November?  When did America decide to celebrate Thanksgiving?  What are we supposed to be thankful for? 

"Sarah Gives Thanks," by Mike Allegra, is the true story that answers these questions.  Patriot, mother and author Sarah Josepha Hale knew that America needed to be thankful.  Not about Puritans, Native Americans, turkeys or an extra day off from school!  She knew that the country needed Thanksgiving because it promoted "family, friendship, gratitude and religion".  She used her position as editor of a woman's magazine to spread her ideas and encourage others to be thankful.  Sarah's suggestion was rejected by four presidents for 36 years!  Because of her determination, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, and we have celebrated it every year since.  This book would be a great family read aloud, best suited to children 6 years and older.  Remember Sarah this year on November 22 as you celebrate with your loved ones. 
--Angie R., Headquarters

Happy Birthday, Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart is a famous American whose disappearance has been debated since 1937. She was determined to do anything a man could do, and even do it better. Her persistence for equality made way for other women to become pilots-or anything else! She is a long-time hero of mine, but the fact that we share a birthday is what initially made me curious about her. Here are a couple of my favorite books about Amelia:

"Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic" by Robert Burleigh, paintings by Wendell Minor
This picture book tells the story of Amelia's first trip crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Her bravery and determination are shown when she hits a terrible thunderstorm and almost crashes. I loved the detailed paintings, especially the ones of Amelia's soaring plane and the images she would see from way up there. This book would be a great shared read with children ages 4-8 years old.

"Amelia Lost: the Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart" by Candace Fleming
Amelia Lost chronicles the life of Amelia Earhart staring with her birth in 1897. It includes many photographs of the pilot and her friends and family. There is also memorabilia like her grade school report card, her first pilot license, and telegraphs she received. The last chapter gives details plans and the events leading up to her last flight. This book is recommended for children ages 8-12 years old.




--Angie R., Headquarters

Happy 4th of July

Celebrate Independence Day by enjoying and sharing books written and illustrated by Wendell Minor. Nationally recognized for his Americana style, Wendell Minor’s books bring history to life for readers of all ages. Begin with “Yankee Doodle America: The Spirit of 1776 From A To Z”, an alphabet book of colonial times which includes illustrations of the X regiment, Yorktown, and Elizabeth Zane.Then try biography, “Henry Knox: Bookseller, Soldier, Patriot” to learn about the perseverance and courage of a young soldier in George Washington’s Continental army. There are many more titles to choose from the St. Louis County Library collection, including “Sitting Bull Remembers”, “Abe Lincoln Remembers”, “The Last Train” and “The Buffalo Are Back”. Each will transport you to a different time and place through the engaging and realistic art of Wendell Minor.

--Teresa R., Sachs

Staff Review: "Explore Titanic" by Peter Chrisp

April 15 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Many books have come out recently, such as "Explore Titanic" by Peter Chrisp.
"The ship of dream" left Ireland on April 11, 1912 headed to New York. But it never got there. Most people have heard the story of Titanic: the beautiful ship that struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean on its first trip. There were 2,229 people on the Titanic, but only enough life boats for 1,178. Many of the rules and regulations we have for traveling on a ship were put in place after that accident.
This new book features photographs, illustrations and quotes that I had never seen before. It tells the entire story of the Titanic: the idea and construction, the tragedy, and the future of the shipwreck.
I enjoyed the fold-out illustrations that helped explain the size of the ship and the way it sank. Also, included with the book is a CD-Rom with a 3D tour of the ship! You can get a full view of the dining room, the beautiful central staircase and many other interesting spaces within the ship. If you would like to learn more about the "unsinkable ship" there are lots of materials available!
--Angie R., Headquarters

Armchair Archeology

Without a doubt "A Street through Time"by Dr. Anne Millard was a big hit at home. With the grandkids visiting I decided to check-out a copy of the book and see what they had to say. To my astonishment not only did our 12 year old grandson say it was “cool”, our 8 year old granddaughter was interested, and my husband and I spent an hour looking at it. Looking at the book is the key because the illustrations by Steven Noon are at the heart of this presentation.

It is fascinating to watch how time changed this one area by a river. From the gradual increase in population and prosperity up to the Roman age, the decline that came with the invaders, and once again the gradual increase in populations and prosperity that came with more secure times. There are so many details to pore over that one could get overwhelmed. However, by using the text on the outside of each illustration as a guide you can avoid being besieged with too many details on the first reading. The end-page includes a Time-Traveling Quiz and glossary. The Time-Traveling quiz is great fun since it sends you right back to the illustrations for more exploring. Hours of investigating will ensue for children and adults alike with the mere swipe of your library card.

--Robbin O., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Heart and Soul"

I just finished reading “Heart and Soul: The Story of American and African Americans” by Kadir Nelson with tears in my eyes. Nelson speaks through the voice of an African American grandmother. Starting with the Africans that came with the Spanish in 1565, this overview of history covers the Revolutionary War, Slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Great Migration, World War I, the Jazz Age, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the election of America’s first African American President Barack Obama. While the writing tells the history the illustrations tell the true “Heart and Soul” story.

Nelson won the Coretta Scott King Award and Robert F. Sibert Award for “We are the Ship: the story of Negro League Baseball”. His illustration of that title were magnificent, however, they pale in comparison to the emotional response that “Heart and Soul” elicits. His use of light and shadows allows us to follow the story without words. In the painting of President Washington and the slave at Mount Vernon we see President Washington sitting proudly on a horse with light illuminating his face. While at his side in the shadows is the slave with his eyes cast down.

One of the most absorbing paintings in the book is of the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first American military units made up of African American soldiers, at Fort Wagner, South Carolina. The painting shows light from the cannon fire bouncing off the muskets and bayonets, dirt on the soldier’s uniforms, and the destruction of war. The book is written for children in upper elementary school. However, it is a powerful story that should be welcomed by all ages.