Atyourlibrary.org Quick Topics List
- Four books for each topic (24 titles total)
- annotate with a * next to your favorite if you have more than one
- age range is K-6th grade
- fiction or nonfiction
- due May 17 on wiki; May 22 to ALSC office
Education & Learning
1. Science Fiction or Reality?
Show how some gadget or technology which was seen as science fiction has now become a reality. (jr)
Eager. Fox, Helen. Yearling, 2004. 280 pgs. (am)
Fleur and Gavin live in a future with robots, the gobey, and simulsuits. They are very similar to our current day robotic vacuums, skype and the internet, as well as simulated games and amusement park rides.
2. Why Nations Strive for Independence
Give me liberty : the story of the Declaration of Independence. Freedman, Russell. Holiday House, 2002. 90 pgs. (jsl)
A detailed look at the events, major players, and politics leading up to the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
King George: What Was His Problem?. Sheinkin, Steve. Roaring Brook Press, 2008. 195 pgs. (SN)
A humorous, illustrated history of the American Revolution.
The Signers: the Fifty-Six Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence. Fradin, Dennis Brindell. Walker, 2002. 164 pgs. (jr)
Brief biographies of the fifty-six men who signed the document that would surely lead the colonies into a fight for independence from English rule.
3. Ideas for Summer Learning and Fun
Free and cheap ideas for children to learn and have fun during the summer.
Adventurous Book of Outdoor Games: Classic Fun for Daring Boys and Girls. Strother, Scott. Sourcebooks, Inc., 2008. 304 pgs. (jr)
Includes instructions for more than 100 classic, neighborhood games grouped in 5 different activity levels from beanbag toss to capture the flag.
The Dumpster Diver. Wong, Janet S. Candlewick Press, 2007. (SN)
An inspiring story about a neighbor who re-uses items from the trash to make toys and decorations with the help of the kids in his building.
Lazy Days of Summer. Young, Judy. Sleepy Bar Press, 2007. (GZ)
This book has many levels. It offers great ideas for summer time fun along with poetry, prose, illustrations, and background information about each activity.
Fun & Games
1. Stay Connected during summer
Ideas on how children can stay connected with friends and relatives during the summer.
Make Your Own Cool Cards: 25 Awesome Notes And Invitations! Blanchette, Peg. Williamson, 2004. (GZ)
Offers clear directions for making greeting cards out of everyday materials.
P.S. Longer Letter Later. Two twelve-year-old best friends continue their friendship through letter-writing when one moves away. The story is continued in the sequel Snail Mail No More.
2. Art & Science of Food
Specific science projects related to food.
Phineas L. MacGuire Gets Slimed. Dowell, Frances O'Roark. Atheneum, 2007. 190 pgs. (jr)
Fourth-grade science whiz Phineas reluctantly agrees to serve as campaign manager when his best friend runs for class president in exchange for help with Phineas' latest science project, growing a mold museum.
Try It With Food. New Book of Popular Science (Ed.) Children's Press, 2007. 32 pgs. (jr)
Ace Your Food Science Project. Gardner, Robert; Rybolt, Thomas R.; Tocci, Salvatore. Enslow, 2009. 128 pgs. (jr) --Note this title will be released in Sept. 2009.
Kitchen Science. Levine, Shar & Leslie Johnstone. Sterling Publishing Co, Inc., 2005. (cc) (GZ too)
Cook up fun science experiments with everday food and kitchen equipment, including making butter and determining whether the foods you are eating contain fat or not.
3. Make Your Own Cartoon Character.
Books that teach what characteristics or features to take into account when they design their own cartoon characters.
Cartooning Basics: Creating the Characters and More. Barnhart, Duane. Cartoon Connections Press, 2004. 88 pages. (jr) Garfield creator Jim Davis introduces this technique book designed to teach young artists the basics of cartooning, from heads and facial expressions to body poses and movement.
Kids Draw Anime. Hart, Christopher. Watson-Guptill Publications, 2002. (cc)
Learn how to draw anime characters including facial features and bodies in different positions.
Adventures in Cartooning. Sturm, James. First Second, 2009. 112 pgs. (SN)
A magical elf teaches a princess (and the reader) how to turn her doodles into comics while creating her own adventure.
Understanding Comics. McCloud, Scout. Harper, 1994. (GZ)
This comic book details the hows and the whys of comic book making.