Youths4Peace Literature

Levine, Ellen. Illustrator, Kadir Nelson  Henry' Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad.  Scholastic Press, 2007.                ISBN:  0439777339.

Torn from his mother as a child, and then forcibly separated from his wife and children as an adult, a heartsick and desperate Henry "Box" Brown conspired with abolitionists and successfully traveled north to Philadelphia in a packing crate. His journey took just over one full day, during which he was often sideways or upside down in a wooden crate large enough to hold him, but small enough not to betray its contents.  2008 Caldecott Honor.      Gr. 2 & up.

Paterson, Katherine.  Illustrated by Francois Roca. The Light of the World: The Life of Jesus for Children  Arthur A. Levine Books/ An Imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 2008.  ISBN:  0545011723.

The Light of the World is a beautiful portrayal of the life of Jesus presented simply and with vivid illustrations for children from preschool through primary grades.

Radunsky, Vladimir.  What Does Peace Feel Like?  Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004.  ISBN:  9780689866760.

Peace.  What does that word really mean?  Ask children from around the world, and you'll get an array of responses, a selection of which you can find in Vladimir Radunsky's book What Does Peace Feel Like?  Simple text and illustrations portray what peace looks, sounds, tastes, feels, and smells like to children around the world in this thought-provoking book.

Raschka, Chris.  The Purple Balloon  Schwartz & Wade Books, 2007.  ISBN:  0375841460.

With With a portion of the proceeds going to Children's Hospice International, The Purple Balloon gives a simple explanation about how dying is hard work, for the old and especially the young, and how good it is that so many people help when a person dies, from medical staff to clergy and friends to family members. Preschool & up.

Rock, Lois. Illustrated by Jane Massey  Now We Have A Baby  Good Books, 2004.  ISBN:  1561484512.

With tender illustrations, this book is a simple introduction to babies and what it is like to be part of a family with a new baby. For toddlers on up.

Sanders, Nancy I.  D is for Drinking Gourd: an African American Alphabet.  Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Sleeping Bear Press, 2007.  ISBN:  1585362936.

In this excellent resource, Nancy I. Sanders highlights many of the remarkable achievements of and contributions from African Americans who have helped create the on-going tapestry of American history. Though this website author does not glamorize war and its heroes, to place a proper perspective all those who have participated in every aspect of American history, Ms. Sanders respectfully includes those who have fought in wars. Preschool & up.

Schlitz, Laura Amy.  Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village.  Illustrated by Robert Byrd.  Candlewick Press, 2007.  ISBN:  0763615781.

With a deep appreciation for the Medieval Period as well as a grand affection for both her characters and audience, Laura Amy Schlitz has created a series of riveting portraits, which are set to skits or plays that can be read silently, separately, or collectively. These "collective voices" tell and unforgettable human story about what it took to survive during this time period. Gr. 5 & up.

Senning, Cindy Post and Peggy Post.  Illustrated by Leo Landry. Emily's Sharing and Caring Book.  Collins/an imprint of Harper Collins, 2008.  ISBN:  061116988.

A great beginner how-to book about the importance of appreciating others. Toddler to Preschool.

Sidman, Joyce.  Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. This Is Just To Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness.  Houghton Mufflin, 2007.  ISBN:  0618616800.

In haiku, pantoums, two-part poems, snippets, and rhymes, a sixth-grade class writes of crushes, deception overbearing parents, loving and losing pets, and dodge ball accidents. Some poets are deeply sorry; some not at all. Some are forgiven; some are not. But each pair of poems reveals a relationship, a connection - between sisters, brothers, father and son, teacher and student, and best friends. Gr. 5 & up.

Sis, Peter.  The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.  Frances Foster Books, 2007.  ISBN:  0374347018.

A combination of Peter Sis' artwork, personal journals, a history of the time periods, he unfolds what life was like growing up in Czechoslovakia during Communism and living on that side of the Iron Curtain. Gr. 5 & up.

Spinelli, Eileen.  Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Where I Live.  Dial Books for Young Readers/A division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2007. ISBN:  0803731226.

In a series of poems, a young girl, Diana, writes about her life, both before and after her father loses his job and she and her family move far away to live with their Grandpa Joe. Grade 3 and up.

Stauffacher, Sue.  Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson.  Illustrated by Greg Couch. Alfred A. Knopf, 2007.  ISBN:  0375834080.

Born to a family of sharecroppers in 1927, Althea Gibson became the greatest and the first African American female ever to compete in and win the Wimbledon Cup, which is the highest honor, in tennis. Primary & up.

Thompson, Lauren.  Ballerina Dreams: a True Story.   Feiwel and Friends, 2007.                ISBN:  0312370299.

Focusing on five girls with physical disabilities, Ballerina Dreams is an inspiring true story of love, hope, and courage for everyone and anyone who has ever wished (and worked) hard enough to make their dreams come true. Gr. 2 & up.

Non-Fiction

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