ZM Summer Reading for NCCS Middle School Students 2022: Nonfiction

ly S. Parker (1828-1895) is [a] unique but little-known [figure] in US history. A member of the Seneca, an Iroquois nation, Parker was an attorney, engineer, and tribal diplomat. Raised on a reservation but schooled at a Catholic institution, he learned English at a young age and became an interpreter for his people. During the American Civil War, he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel and was the primary draftsman of the terms of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. He eventually became President Grant's Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the first Native American to hold that post. Grade 6-10

Examines the lives of dogs who work with humans to find new ways to solve environmental problems. Included are stories and examples of dogs working in the field to conserve wildlife. Grade 4-7

As a hurricane gathered in the Caribbean, blue skies covered Galveston, Texas. Scientists knew a storm was coming. But none of them were able to prepare Galveston for the force of the hurricane that hit on September 8, 1900. The water from the storm surge pulled houses off their foundations, and the winds toppled telephone poles and trees like toothpicks. And amid the chaos, Galveston's residents did all they could to rescue one another. From the meteorologists tracking the storm, to the ordinary people who displayed extraordinary bravery... from the inequitable effects of the disaster, to the science of hurricanes and weather: Grade 3-6

Journey into the heart of Assam, a remote land of tea plantations, paddy fields, and ancient forests, to tell the true story of the last viable population of Asian elephants and one man who is dedicated to saving them. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 980)

Shows how the process of making, buying, wearing, and disposing of clothes has a huge impact on the environment, on the people who work in clothing factories, and on our culture. Grade 5-8

A riveting narrative nonfiction account of the worldwide water crisis, explaining what's happening to the world's water supply, from industrial pollution to harmful algal blooms, and what kids can do about it. Grade 5-8

Explores the history of vaccinations and the struggle to protect people from infectious diseases, from smallpox—perhaps humankind’s greatest affliction to date—to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting deadly diseases such as measles, polio, rabies, cholera, and influenza, Brown tackles the science behind how our immune systems work, the discovery of bacteria, the anti-vaccination movement, and major achievements from Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who popularized inoculation in England, and from scientists like Louis Pasteur, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and Edward Jenner, the "father of immunology." Timely and fascinating, A Shot in the Arm! is a reminder of vaccines’ contributions to public health so far, as well as the millions of lives they can still save. Grade 4-7

Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family. Grade 5-8

A powerful look at the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. Grade 3-6 (Lexile: 1110)

Unravel the mystery of how and why Henry Wadsworth Longfellow twisted historical facts when he penned his famous poem, 'Paul Revere's Ride'" Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1120)

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to refugees. Grade 3-6

A feminist-forward new collection of poetry celebrating the little-known women poets of the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today's most talented female African-American illustrators. Grade 5-8

n a rich embroidery of visions, musical cadence, and deep emotion, Andrea and Brian Pinkney convey the final months of Martin Luther King's life -- and of his assassination -- through metaphor, spirituality, and multi-layers of meaning.

Andrea's stunning poetic requiem, illustrated with Brian's lyrical and colorful artwork -- brings a fresh perspective to Martin Luther King, the Gandhi-like, peace-loving activist whose dream of equality -- and whose courage to make it happen -- changed the course of American history. And even in his death, he continues to transform and inspire all of us who share his dream. Grade 4+ (Lexile: 730)

What can you find in a poem about a robin's nest? Irene Latham ... discovers 'nestlings, ' or smaller poems about [a] ... variety of subjects--emotions, wild animals, natural landmarks on all seven continents, even planets and constellations. Each poem is a ... spark of wonder that will prompt readers to look at the world afresh. Grade 3-8

Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem by the Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover and artwork from a two-time Caldecott Honoree is a love letter to black life in the United States, highlighting the unspeakable trauma of slavery; the faith and fire of the Civil Rights Movement; and the grit, passion and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. Grade 3-6

This artful and accessible guide to the periodic table - the ultimate reference tool for scientists worldwide - names all 118 chemical elements and helps young readers understand the remarkable ways we have learned to use them.

Graphically stunning layouts feature each element's letter symbol and atomic number, exploring its attributes, characteristics, uses, and interesting stories behind its discovery. Complete with a comprehensive introduction, conclusion, and glossary, this is the perfect introduction to chemistry for inquisitive minds. Grade 4-7

"In 1910, Captain Robert Scott prepared his crew for a trip that no one had ever completed: a journey to the South Pole. He vowed to get there any way he could, even if it meant looking death in the eye. Then, not long before he set out, the telegram arrived: "Proceeding to Antarctic - Roald Amundsen." What was to be an expedition had become a race. One hundred and eight years later, Captain Louis Rudd readied himself for a similarly grueling task: the first solo crossing of treacherous Antarctica. Then came the Instagram message: "On Nov. 1, I depart for the ice - Colin O'Brady." What was to be a journey had become a race. For fans of Michael Tougias' The Finest Hours, this gripping tale of two history-making moments is perfect for budding scientists, survivalists, and thrill seekers, Grade 4-8

One of the worst acts of racist violence in American history took place in 1921, when a White mob numbering in the thousands decimate the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Burning recreates Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explores the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its Black residents and Tulsa's White population, narrates events leading up to and including Greenwood's devastation, and documents the subsequent silence that surrounded this tragedy. Delving into history that's long been pushed aside, this is the true story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, with updates that connect the historical significance of the massacre to the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Grade 6-10 (Lexile: 1190)

During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then, it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was also said to be cursed. Centuries later, as Egypt-mania gripped Europe, two Brits -- a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archeologist -- worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun's tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for disturbing and even looting the pharaoh's resting place? What else could explain the mysterious illnesses, accidents, and deaths that began once it was found? Grade 4-8

The United States Farm Security Administration’s sweeping visual record of the Great Depression. In 1935, with the nation bent under unprecedented unemployment and economic hardship, the FSA sent ten photographers, including Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Gordon Parks, on the road trip of a lifetime. The images they logged revealed the daily lives of Southern sharecroppers, Dust Bowl farmers in the Midwest, Western migrant workers, and families scraping by in Northeast cities. Using their cameras as weapons against poverty and racism—and in service of hope, courage, and human dignity—these talented photographers created not only a collective work of art, but a national treasure. Grouped into four geographical regions and locked in focus by rich historical commentary, these images—many now iconic—are history at its most powerful and immediate. Grade 5-9

Celebrated poets Ted Kooser along with Connie Wanek, and illustrator Richard Jones, explore figures of speech in a spirited and magical way--and invite our imaginations out to play. Grade 5-9

Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, and until recently scientists didn’t know very much about them. But Dr. Rebecca Cliffe was determined to discover their secrets. To find out more, she fitted sloths with special backpacks containing a device to track their activity. She learned how to climb trees in the Costa Rican jungle so she could take sloth hair samples and test their DNA. And she’s helped create sloth crossings and plant trees to ensure the sloths aren’t trapped in shrinking territories. Along the way, she earned the nickname Dr. Sloth.

Discover the story of how an animal-loving kid in England grew up to become one of the world’s leading sloth scientists, and learn how Dr. Sloth is using her discoveries to help keep sloths safe. Grad 3-6 (Lexile: 1040)

In this moving tale, join war veteran James Howard Williams as he encounters Bandoola, a working Asian elephant, and his keeper, Po Toke for the first time. Working together on a teak plantation, Williams and Bandoola develop a rare friendship, which even today set standards around elephant care and conservation. Grade 3-6 (Lexile: 1000)

Journey into the heart of Assam, a remote land of tea plantations, paddy fields, and ancient forests, to tell the true story of the last viable population of Asian elephants and one man who is dedicated to saving them. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 980)

Dedicated to the work of contemporary Black artists from around the world, this book is an exuberant introduction to artists from Africa and of African descent for young readers. Grade 5-7

Invites young art lovers and artists to learn about painting through the lives and masterpieces of 24 women from the 16th to the 20th century, Grade 5-8

Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, and until recently scientists didn’t know very much about them. But Dr. Rebecca Cliffe was determined to discover their secrets. To find out more, she fitted sloths with special backpacks containing a device to track their activity. She learned how to climb trees in the Costa Rican jungle so she could take sloth hair samples and test their DNA. And she’s helped create sloth crossings and plant trees to ensure the sloths aren’t trapped in shrinking territories. Along the way, she earned the nickname Dr. Sloth.

Discover the story of how an animal-loving kid in England grew up to become one of the world’s leading sloth scientists, and learn how Dr. Sloth is using her discoveries to help keep sloths safe. Grad 3-6 (Lexile: 1040)

Full-color portraits illustrate the stories of ten people-rulers, educators, inventors, scholars, and explorers-who helped shape the African continent and the world from ancient times through the tumultuous sixteenth century. Grade 6-10

In this moving tale, join war veteran James Howard Williams as he encounters Bandoola, a working Asian elephant, and his keeper, Po Toke for the first time. Working together on a teak plantation, Williams and Bandoola develop a rare friendship, which even today set standards around elephant care and conservation. Grade 3-6 (Lexile: 1000)

A powerful memoir about a Holocaust survivor who was deemed hopeless--and the rehabilitation center that gave him and other teen boys the chance to learn how to live again. Grade 5-8

Journey into the heart of Assam, a remote land of tea plantations, paddy fields, and ancient forests, to tell the true story of the last viable population of Asian elephants and one man who is dedicated to saving them. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 980)

Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family. Grade 5-8

nterviews with 25 climate leaders under age 25 present a hopeful picture of the future of environmentalism. These fearless girls and young women from all over the world have led hundreds of thousands of people in climate strikes, founded nonprofits, given TED talks, and sued their governments. They are standing up to demand change when no one else is, Grade 5-8

Thrilling true stories of female adventurers from around the world.Throughout history, women seeking adventure often faced opposition. But here are 25 remarkable women --- from pilots to mountain climbers, deep-sea divers to Antarctic explorers --- who defied expectations and made history. Included are Bessie Coleman, famously known as the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license (two years before Amelia Earhart!). But readers will also learn about lesser-known women, such as Diana Nyad, the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest. Though their experiences are all different, these women have one thing in common: they didn't let anything get in the way of their dreams!Watch out world, the next generation of adventurers are about to get inspired. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 990)

Young crime reporter Hilde Lysiak shares, for the first time, how she started her own newspaper, the Orange Street News, and how she was able to not only survive the ups and downs of her youth but emerge from it all with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. Grade 4-8 (Lexile: 890)

Biographies of Native American women who are working for change in their communities.The 12 Indigenous women featured in this book overcame unimaginable hardships--racial and gender discrimination, abuse and extreme poverty--only to rise to great heights in the fields of politics, science, education and community activism. Grades 6+ (Lexile: 1160)

Adapted for young readers! Join Olympic gold medalist, two-time Women's World Cup champion, and trailblazing activist Megan Rapinoe in the fight for equality and justice in this middle grade adaptation of her New York Times bestselling memoir, One Life. Grade 6-9

A collection of biographies of Jewish female role models--selected in collaboration with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and including an introduction written by the Supreme Court justice. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1220)

One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her story of fighting to belong in school and society -a powerful role model for young adults with a passion for activism, Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 760)

A biography of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first Black woman to run for president with a major political part. Grade 5-8

rom the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler. Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death. Grade 5-12

As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to give her any credit. Grade 5-9

The moving true story of how young Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies Zhanna (alias “Anna”) and her sister Frina outplayed their pursuers while hiding in plain sight during the Holocaust. Grade 5-8

rom the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler. Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death. Grade 5-12

Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, and until recently scientists didn’t know very much about them. But Dr. Rebecca Cliffe was determined to discover their secrets. To find out more, she fitted sloths with special backpacks containing a device to track their activity. She learned how to climb trees in the Costa Rican jungle so she could take sloth hair samples and test their DNA. And she’s helped create sloth crossings and plant trees to ensure the sloths aren’t trapped in shrinking territories. Along the way, she earned the nickname Dr. Sloth.

Discover the story of how an animal-loving kid in England grew up to become one of the world’s leading sloth scientists, and learn how Dr. Sloth is using her discoveries to help keep sloths safe. Grad 3-6 (Lexile: 1040)

In this moving tale, join war veteran James Howard Williams as he encounters Bandoola, a working Asian elephant, and his keeper, Po Toke for the first time. Working together on a teak plantation, Williams and Bandoola develop a rare friendship, which even today set standards around elephant care and conservation. Grade 3-6 (Lexile: 1000)

Guides young readers through some of the trickiest topics of our time: food and water waste, our dependency on fossil fuels, and our love of money and stuff. What our planet needs, he argues, is for us to embrace sustainable living. Be the Change is Greenfield's guide to doing just that. He describes his own awareness-raising campaigns (dumpster diving to call attention to food waste, for example, or biking across the United States to highlight fossil-fuel dependency), and then explores how readers can make impactful changes in their own lives. Grade 4-6

A powerful memoir about a Holocaust survivor who was deemed hopeless--and the rehabilitation center that gave him and other teen boys the chance to learn how to live again. Grade 5-8

Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family. Grade 5-8

nterviews with 25 climate leaders under age 25 present a hopeful picture of the future of environmentalism. These fearless girls and young women from all over the world have led hundreds of thousands of people in climate strikes, founded nonprofits, given TED talks, and sued their governments. They are standing up to demand change when no one else is, Grade 5-8

Thrilling true stories of female adventurers from around the world.Throughout history, women seeking adventure often faced opposition. But here are 25 remarkable women --- from pilots to mountain climbers, deep-sea divers to Antarctic explorers --- who defied expectations and made history. Included are Bessie Coleman, famously known as the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license (two years before Amelia Earhart!). But readers will also learn about lesser-known women, such as Diana Nyad, the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest. Though their experiences are all different, these women have one thing in common: they didn't let anything get in the way of their dreams!Watch out world, the next generation of adventurers are about to get inspired. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 990)

Suffering heavy damage in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rican communities lacked access to clean water and electricity. Salvador Gómez-Colón couldn’t ignore the basic needs of his homeland, and knew that nongovernmental organizations and larger foreign philanthropies could only do so much. With unstoppable energy and a deep knowledge of local culture, Salvador founded Light and Hope for Puerto Rico and raised more than $100,000 to purchase and distribute solar-powered lamps and hand-powered washing machines to households in need.

With a voice that is both accessible and engaging, Salvador recalls living through the catastrophic storm and grappling with the destruction it left behind. Hurricane brings forward a captivating first-person account of strength, resilience, and determination. Grade 4-8

Biographies of Native American women who are working for change in their communities.The 12 Indigenous women featured in this book overcame unimaginable hardships--racial and gender discrimination, abuse and extreme poverty--only to rise to great heights in the fields of politics, science, education and community activism. Grades 6+ (Lexile: 1160)

A collection of biographies of Jewish female role models--selected in collaboration with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and including an introduction written by the Supreme Court justice. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1220)

One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her story of fighting to belong in school and society -a powerful role model for young adults with a passion for activism, Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 760)

Ten very different disabled women, from neurosurgeon Dr. Karin Muraszko to environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who are making a difference in the world. Grade 4-7

One of the worst acts of racist violence in American history took place in 1921, when a White mob numbering in the thousands decimate the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Burning recreates Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explores the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its Black residents and Tulsa's White population, narrates events leading up to and including Greenwood's devastation, and documents the subsequent silence that surrounded this tragedy. Delving into history that's long been pushed aside, this is the true story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, with updates that connect the historical significance of the massacre to the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Grade 6-10 (Lexile: 1190)

An action-packed look at past extinction and current threats to humanity's survival -- with the ultimately reassuring message that humans probably have a few more millennia in us. Grade 5-8

An up close account of the ill-fated Franklin expedition.In 1845, Sir John Franklin set sail from England with two ships in search of the Northwest Passage. Not only did they not succeed, the ships and their crew members vanished, their fate an unsolved mystery for decades. In 10 suspenseful episodes, the captivating story of that doomed polar mission is revealed from the viewpoints of the commander, those back home and the search parties. It's a riveting tale, that in bone-chilling detail answers the question: What really happened in Terror Bay?At last, a story long hidden in the icy Arctic, finally gets to be told. Grade 5-8

This revolutionary dictionary-thesaurus hybrid puts more than 750 high-level, wondrous, and wacky words in fun, engaging, and hilarious context. Grade 4-8

Guides young readers through some of the trickiest topics of our time: food and water waste, our dependency on fossil fuels, and our love of money and stuff. What our planet needs, he argues, is for us to embrace sustainable living. Be the Change is Greenfield's guide to doing just that. He describes his own awareness-raising campaigns (dumpster diving to call attention to food waste, for example, or biking across the United States to highlight fossil-fuel dependency), and then explores how readers can make impactful changes in their own lives. Grade 4-6

Landfills are piled high with tossed clothes and shoes, clothing hangers harm our flying friends, and tiny microfibers from our fabrics are becoming fish food. What a waste! But there's a way to help. Be a waste warrior to put a stop to clothing waste and join the battle to save Earth! Grade 4-7

Explores the social and environmental issues in the fashion industry and how kids can make it more sustainable. Grade 4-8 (Lexile: 1110)

Shows how the process of making, buying, wearing, and disposing of clothes has a huge impact on the environment, on the people who work in clothing factories, and on our culture. Grade 5-8

Explores our right to a healthy environment and introduces the stories of people fighting for change. Grade 4-7

Nationally recognized meteorologist Paul Douglas presents the daunting problem of climate change and offers realistic, hope-filled actions that kids can take now to help save the world. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1110)

An action-packed look at past extinction and current threats to humanity's survival -- with the ultimately reassuring message that humans probably have a few more millennia in us. Grade 5-8

Why is there no ham in hamburgers? How did we make ice cream before we could make ice? How did hot dogs get their name? From the origins of pizza (which got a big boost from Clarence Birdseye, of all people) to the Cornell professor who invented chicken fingers. Grade 4-7

Guides young readers through some of the trickiest topics of our time: food and water waste, our dependency on fossil fuels, and our love of money and stuff. What our planet needs, he argues, is for us to embrace sustainable living. Be the Change is Greenfield's guide to doing just that. He describes his own awareness-raising campaigns (dumpster diving to call attention to food waste, for example, or biking across the United States to highlight fossil-fuel dependency), and then explores how readers can make impactful changes in their own lives. Grade 4-6

As a hurricane gathered in the Caribbean, blue skies covered Galveston, Texas. Scientists knew a storm was coming. But none of them were able to prepare Galveston for the force of the hurricane that hit on September 8, 1900. The water from the storm surge pulled houses off their foundations, and the winds toppled telephone poles and trees like toothpicks. And amid the chaos, Galveston's residents did all they could to rescue one another. From the meteorologists tracking the storm, to the ordinary people who displayed extraordinary bravery... from the inequitable effects of the disaster, to the science of hurricanes and weather: Grade 3-6

Become an animal expert by learning about animals at home and around the world! Grades 4-6 (Lexile: 870)

Explores the social and environmental issues in the fashion industry and how kids can make it more sustainable. Grade 4-8 (Lexile: 1110)

Shows how the process of making, buying, wearing, and disposing of clothes has a huge impact on the environment, on the people who work in clothing factories, and on our culture. Grade 5-8

Explores our right to a healthy environment and introduces the stories of people fighting for change. Grade 4-7

nterviews with 25 climate leaders under age 25 present a hopeful picture of the future of environmentalism. These fearless girls and young women from all over the world have led hundreds of thousands of people in climate strikes, founded nonprofits, given TED talks, and sued their governments. They are standing up to demand change when no one else is, Grade 5-8

Junk Drawer Ecology is a hands-on guide to saving the planet. Fun, free science activities help kids of all ages learn about the science of our planet’s ecology. The environment is changing every day, and we can help slow that change. Grade 4-7

Nationally recognized meteorologist Paul Douglas presents the daunting problem of climate change and offers realistic, hope-filled actions that kids can take now to help save the world. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1110)

A guide through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA’s Weightless Wonder to eating space food, Packing for Mars for Kids is chock-full of firs-hand experiences and thorough research. Grade 4-7

An action-packed look at past extinction and current threats to humanity's survival -- with the ultimately reassuring message that humans probably have a few more millennia in us. Grade 5-8

Outlines the science behind global heating and its root causes, provides ways to take action and honors the efforts of the millions of people from around the world working tirelessly to help the planet. Grade 6-9 (Lexile 1260)

As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to give her any credit. Grade 5-9

A brief introduction into the violent Tulsa Race Massacre that occurred on May 31-June 1 1921. Grade 4-7

An unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time--and bravely proceeding anyway. Each lyrical passage leads the reader from one story to the next, revealing the dreams, ambitions, and personalities of each displaced child. The stories are punctuated by intimate photographs, followed by the author's reflections on life in a refugee camp. Locking the global refugee crisis sharply in focus, The Waiting Place is an urgent call to change what we teach young people about the nature of home and safety. Grade 5-8

This book "explores the concept of systemic and intrinsic racism in a comprehensive, honest, and age-appropriate way. [It was] developed in conjunction with educator, advocate, and author Kalisa Wing to reach children of all races and encourage them to approach race issues with open eyes and minds. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 940)

The moving true story of how young Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies Zhanna (alias “Anna”) and her sister Frina outplayed their pursuers while hiding in plain sight during the Holocaust. Grade 5-8

On July 30, 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine. An estimated 300 men were killed upon impact; close to 900 sailors were cast into the Pacific Ocean, where they remained undetected by the navy for nearly four days and nights. Battered by a savage sea, they struggled to stay alive, fighting off sharks, hypothermia, and hallucinations.

By the time rescue arrived, all but 316 men had died. The captain's subsequent court-martial left many questions unanswered: How did the navy fail to realize the Indianapolis was missing? And how did these 316 men manage to survive against all odds? Grade 6-10