Title: A Weird and Wild Beauty: The Story of Yellowstone, the World's First National Park

Author: Eric Peabody

Recommended Grade Level: 7 and up

Summary: This book tells the story of how a team of thirty-two renowned scientists and artists explored, sampled,

sketched, and photographed the natural wonders of the Yellowstone region, then headed east, determined to convince

Congress that the country needed to preserve the land from commercial development, thus giving rise to the first

national park.

Where I found it: Public library

Why I chose it: Although most students have heard of Yellowstone, they probably don’t know how the national park

system came into being. There are lots of photos, and paintings and maps to help make the story interesting.

"If Peabody's impassioned, vividly written chronicle of how Yellowstone became a national park does not make readers

want to  visit, nothing will....The dramatic, picturesque descriptions of the expedition read very much like an adventure

story.... A lively, richly detailed account of exploration, conservation, and natural history." —Kirkus Reviews

“This excellent title is recommended for any collection in need of quality creative nonfiction in the area of natural

history.” —School Library Journal

Title: A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919

Author: Claire Hartfield

Recommended Grade Level: 7 and up

Summary:  Using a combination of text, photos, editorial cartoons, and advertisements, the book explores the events

that led up to the Chicago riot which left thirty-eight people dead and 537 wounded following the murder of a 17 year old

African American boy.

Where I found it: My school library

Why I chose it:  This looks like a very readable and important book to add to a civil rights curriculum. While educators have been dodging talking about race for years, it is becoming a necessary and important part of children's education.

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

"Photos, editorial cartoons, and advertisements further immerse readers in a vivid chronicle with no shortage of

contemporary relevance."--Publishers Weekly

"Young readers will find this an excellent example of narrative nonfiction."--VOYA

Title: The Grand Escape: The Greatest Prison Breakout of the 20th Century 

Author: Neal Bascomb

Recommended Grade Level: 

Summary: This is the story of a group of ingenious and defiant Allied soldiers and pilots who managed to escape from

Holzminden, a German prison that was notoriously difficult to escape from; the group tunneled through the prison's

foundation and far beyond its walls, forging documents, smuggling in supplies, and bribing guards to aid their escape.

Where I found it: YALSA 2019 non-fiction nominations

Why I chose it:  This book looks exciting and will be a hit with those fascinated by World War II or by prison escapes.  

 "It is a tale of triumph that became a template for future prisoners of war, and Bascomb's heavy, well-cited research

provides the information readers need.... A fantastic pick for avid history readers." -- School Library Journal

Title

Title: Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey

Author: Ozge Samanci

Recommended Grade Level: 6 and up

Summary: Told to study engineering, but having the soul of an artist, the author shares her coming of age store in this

funny and moving graphic memoir which is set against the political upheaval of Turkey in the 1980s. 

Where I found it: The public library

Why I chose it: I was drawn into this book immediately because of Ozge's voice, which is funny and totally relatable to

teens; it contains lots of personal anecdotes as well as information about growing up in Turkey. It is never dry and the pictures are simple yet clever.

Awards: YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2017

Amelia Bloomer Lists Young Adult Nonfiction 2017