During the Nazi invasion of France, thousands of Jewish people found sanctuary in the Grand Mosque of Paris. This book describes how Muslims in Paris helped their Jewish brothers and sisters during World War II. They saved lives in a myriad of ways ranging from writing false papers identifying Jews as Muslims, to secreting Jewish people and resistance fighters through hidden tunnels and out of Paris in emptied wine barrels.

There are so many fascinating vignettes of courage and defiance in this book. The actions described were secretive by nature and never officially documented, but the authors have hunted down the scraps of information they could find to present these stories. Full-page oil paintings throughout illustrate the story. There's a glossary, bibliography, index and further information in the back.

The Grand Mosque of Paris: A story of how Muslims rescued Jews during the Holocaust by Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
Tags: Nonfiction, Picture Books, History

 
The book shares the story of Fred Korematsu, a second-generation Japanese American living on the West Coast during World War II, when the United States forced immigrants and citizens alike into internment camps. Fred resisted the order, and was jailed. The ACLU took up his case, which he eventually lost. He lost more than just the case. Many Japanese Americans turned on him, and he was officially considered a convicted felon. More than 40 years later, the ACLU decided to try his case again after finding new documents showing that the government had lied in his original case… and this time they won, setting an important precedent going forward. Fred knew what was happening was wrong and stood up against it. He was a changemaker.
Here’s an excerpt from the main text:
"Fred challenged something
he thought was unfair.
                                                                               He spoke up–
                                                                               for himself
                                                                              and for all Japanese Americans,
                                                                              even when no one stood with him.
                                                                              It was not easy.
                                                                              But Fred fought
                                                                              to make the United States–
                                                                              his country–
                                                                              a fairer place.
                                                                              And he won.
                                                                              We all won."
I love the lyrical, spare text of the book. I love the engaging layout and design featuring illustrations, full-color photos, definitions of terms, and historical timelines. There are also sidebars and pullout boxes that explain concepts in greater detail and add context. In addition to nonfiction text features such source notes, bibliography, photo and text credits, and an index, the book also includes a fantastic section about how readers can stand up for social justice themselves.
I urge you to check this one out for the children in your life, for yourself, for our country, and for ALL of its citizens.
(Review by L. Thompson)

Tessa's Picks
3rd through 8th grade, History, People of Color, Social Justice.

This book, while non-fiction, reads like an adventure novel. The story of Minamoto Yoshitsune is larger than life and the bravery, betrayals, and brutal ending felt like the best kind of Hollywood epic. When Yoshitsune was just a baby, his father was killed by a rival clan. Raised in a monastery, Yoshitsune was determined to escape and learn the way of the Samurai. Despite a late start in training, he became one of the most famous samurai of all time known for his fearless leadership in battle and the fierce loyalty he inspired among his men. But not everyone loved Yoshitsune, and when he was finally betrayed his death by seppuku would solidify the practice in Samurai tradition. Don't miss this thrilling tale!



Samurai Rising by Pamela S. Turner, Illustrated by Gareth Hinds

Erica's Picks
6th & up
​Tags: Adventure, Biography, Fast-Paced, History, Nonfiction, People of Color

John Brown is a controversial figure: depending on your perspective he could be seen as an inspiration who stopped at nothing to fight for what he thought was right or as one of the earliest domestic terrorists. The truth lies somewhere in the murky area between these two extremes. Read this book to uncover the bloody and complicated history of slavery, the civil war, and John Brown.

I really enjoyed the nuanced approach Marrin took towards John Brown but my favorite parts were when he pulled back to provide further context. His section on the history of slavery was excellent. Marrin doesn't pull any punches and he doesn't come down on any one side but allows the reader to explore the complexities of history and see multiple perspectives.

A Volcano Beneath the Snow: John Brown's War Against Slavery by Albert Marrin

Erica's Picks
7th - 8th
Tags: Biography, History, Nonfiction

Come one, come all and learn about the extraordinary life of P.T. Barnum and the stupendous history of his American Museum and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Barnum was famous for many attractions: 25 in. tall Tom Thumb, Zazel the human cannonball, Salamander the fire horse, and an 11 and a 1/2 ft. tall elephant named Jumbo to name a few. But perhaps the biggest attraction was P.T. Barnum himself. He made the famous American Museum, watched it burn down, and built it again only to have it catch fire once more. He then entered the circus business at age sixty,  inventing the three ring circus layout. P.T. Barnum was a showman above all else, and his life was one great show.

Every page contained an amusing tidbit--much like the museum Barnum built his fame and fortune on. My favorite anecdote from the book is that of ivy island, but I don't want to give it away--you'll have to read it for yourself! I'd give this to anyone with an interest in life in the Victorian Era or entertainment, especially of the circus and sideshow variety.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum by Candace Fleming

Erica's Picks
5th - 8th Grade
Tags: Biography, History, Nonfiction

There are stories waiting under the ground. Our ancestors buried their history along with their dead, and for those who have been trained to read the signs, a pile of bones can be a buried treasure. Find out how to read a jaw bone to see the infections and pain hidden there. Discover how a spine can reveal a life of hard labor. Bones can even tell you if a person who died hundreds of years ago was left or right handed! Take a tour of the harsh life of early settlers viewed through the evidence that it left in their very bones.

Being able to understand the jargon on popular crime investigation shows is obviously a big draw for the book, but there are great details about other fields of study as well.They get a physicist to develop an x-ray that can penetrate lead, mathematicians to calculate how heavy the coffins will be, and historians  to find documents that lead to identifying the bodies. At the end they have artists create a sculpture based on a skull they find. It is all beautifully formatted and explained in a clear way.  An excellent example of narrative nonfiction.  

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally Walker

Erica's Picks
5th - 8th Grade
Tags: History, Nonfiction

World War I marked the beginning of modern warfare, but its commanders still used the old war tactics. The results were disastrous. Soldiers were stuck in mud-filled trenches full of disease, afraid to lift their head above the edge for even a second for fear of being struck down by a sharpshooter. The two sides would exchange grenades and fire and occasionally be ordered out on doomed charges. Yet surrounded by death and violence, peace triumphed for a brief period. On Christmas Day 1914, hundreds of thousands of soldiers defied orders and laid down their arms to meet their enemies in the no-man's land between the trenches and celebrate together.

Murphy details the events leading up to World War I in a clear way. His descriptions are compelling and it is an excellent read all around. The ample excerpts of letters and photographs from the time help to give an authentic sense of the events.  I'd give this to kids looking for a narrative nonfiction book with an interest in history.


Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th Grade
Tags: History, Nonfiction