Presented by Amanda Fensch, Children's Librarian at M/RCPL; Best of Children's Nonfiction 2009-2010

1. Books and Brunch 2010 Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction Books 2009-2010 Amanda Fensch, Children’s Assistant M/RCPL

2. Biographies

4. Features many unpublished photographs; photographs are accompanied by diary entries

5. Excellent biography for older elementary school students (grades 5 and up) packed with details about Anne’s life before, during, and after her capture by the Nazis

7. Has many elements to capture the attention of students grades 3-6 who may not “cotton to” nonfiction: colorful vernacular of the Wild West, great artwork, an engaging hero, and the story reads like a picture book, not a biography

8. Nelson heavily researched the life of Reeves; while Bad News looks and reads like fiction, it is thoroughly cited and can be used by students for reports

10. Historically accurate with a unique perspective on an important figure in Native American history

11. Author provides extensive bibliography, source notes, and personal note

13. Macy’s book thoroughly portrays Bly’s “stunt journalism” and her perseverance in a male-dominated field

14. Provides plenty of photos and other visual aids to accompany text on the 4th-6th grade reading level

16. Innerst’s illustrations add to the unique humor and zest of this book

18. Yolen focuses as much on Barrie’s childhood (the good and bad) as she does his adult life, which is important because it shows how what he experienced as a child shaped what he did as an adult

19. Adams’ illustrations portray Barrie’s unstoppable spirit and are paired with a quote carefully chosen from one of Barrie’s literary works

21. Krull focuses on Farnsworth’s dream to become an inventor, doesn’t mention his struggles and depression later on in life except in the afterword

24. Takes color beyond the “normal” and includes black, brown, gray and white and explains each of them

25. The photos in the book for each color are not discussed in detail (each photo may have an exotic location, person, or thing in it) and allows for open dialogue between you and your students

27. Aimed at the 3rd-6th grade levels, the text is fluid and fun

28. Includes many life-size representations of skeletons (including a small python)

30. Husband and wife team Jenkins and Page showcase some of the more unknown pairings, like the goby and blind shrimp, or the coyote and badger

32. Almost picture book in presentation, Mortensen’s text is simple and inviting (coupled with interesting facts about bees at the bottom of each page) while Arbo’s highly detailed illustrations are truly incredible

34. Written with older students (grades 5 and up) in mind, this book details Montgomery and Bishop’s ten days with New Zealand’s National Kakapo Recovery Team, a group that works to restore the very limited kakapo population (current count is 122 of these beautiful birds)

35. This is a riveting book--filled with stunning photographs that accompany a story that is an emotional rollercoaster

37. Filled with photographs of high quality that Bishop is known for (and that kids grades 2-5 will react to with open mouths and big eyes), Bishop adds facts, details, and fun information about each animal in straightforward language

39. George’s eloquent writing and Minor’s evocative watercolor paintings will transport kids to a different time and place, especially if the book is read aloud

40. George does not gloss over how the buffalo and the plains were almost obliterated by hunters, Westward expansion, and the American government

42. Tyrone Hayes, whose potential as a student was recognized and turned into a career by a professor who didn’t give up on him, is now “The Frog Scientist”, studying the effects of the chemical atrazine on amphibians

44. Extensive data is presented on the different bears, their diets, habitat, family life (especially the bond between mother and cub)

45. Young researchers will find info on the Spirit Bears (white-furred black bears) especially fascinating

47. Each two-page spread contains a poem about the camouflaged creature in the facing photograph; if you then lift the page with the photograph, you can read facts about the hidden animal/insect

50. Opposite page illustrations highlight Sidman’s vivid poetry; the poems are a mix of structures and don’t always rhyme, allowing students to be introduced to various poetic forms

51. Facts about each life form are placed on the page opposite the poem, giving kids a chance to explore further and/or do research

53. Each poem is printed on a two-page spread with artwork of the tree or tree part described

54. Florian’s poetry is graceful and full of excellent vocabulary-building words, great for reading aloud and group activities in grades 3-6

56. Katz’s rhymes are spectacular in form and the poems range from subtlety funny to downright hysterical (try reading the “Suds Surfing Sock Eater” without smiling)

57. McCauley’s illustrations are also a sight to behold and pull together the entire collection

60. Designed to only last 90 days, both rovers have been slowly working, gathering samples and collecting data, for over 5 years

61. The book is full of black and white photographic images of Mars and artistic renderings of the rovers and what the planet might look like in real life; also includes photos taken of the rovers and all their gear while on Earth with excellent details mapped out for curious students

63. The author is a music professional who starts the book with simple lessons (beat, rhythm, melody, etc) and gradually steps up the advice as the book goes on

65. Students grades 3-6 will understand what these young men (the Greensboro Four) were trying to accomplish through peaceful protests because of Pinkney’s effective word choices

66. Brian Pinkney’s illustrations also make a potent statement with mixes of thick and thin lines and patches of color

67. Civil rights timeline and update on what happened after the book ends are provided