Air speaks directly to the reader in Our Air by G. Brian Karas. With this second-person perspective, Our Air introduces the ways we know air is around us, and explains the reasons why air is so important, including its role as a “perfect combination of nitrogen and oxygen”, which provides for us as well as
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis (published 1997) is not a biography in the traditional sense. Rather, it is an analysis of Jefferson’s character and his essential understandings as highlighted at various points in his life. These include his time writing the Declaration of Independence, his time overseas, his time
Secrets of Air by Mi-ae Lee, illustrated by Hae-ryun Jeong, tells basics about air. It discusses how air wraps the earth, how air is thinner the higher we go, how air moves as wind, and even basics about air currents. Each page has a few easy to read sentences to make it feel like a
As indicated by the subtitle, Up, Up High: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Katie Rewse is a poetic collection with details about the various layers of the atmosphere, told with the perspective of a journey to space in a rocket ship, showing what might be seen and experienced outside
As the title suggests, Up in the Blue Sky: Journey from the Earth’s Surface to Outer Space by Gianumberto Accinelli, illustrated by Guilian Zaffaroni, shows a progression meter by meter of the things that travel to various levels in the atmosphere, beginning with ants close to the ground, moving up toward Olympic pole jumpers, and
The titular character in Ood-Le-Uk the Wanderer by Alice Lide and Margaret Johansen (published 1930) is an Eskimo boy who is separated from his tribe and wanders unintentionally via sea into Siberia, where he learns about Russian ways of living in the Arctic. His adventures help him grow from being a boy to being a
How is a scar like a river? Just like a river hides things in the bottom, Fallon’s scar on her face hides secrets from her life. I didn’t want to like A Scar Like a River by Lisa Graff (published 2026) because I knew it was about a girl overcoming trauma. But the writing and
The realistic fiction middle grade novel The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (published 2026) is a coming-of-age story for any middle schooler who needs to understand and recognize their changing place in the world. Luna inherits stacks of books. As a result, Luna becomes widely read, well able to become the “book doctor,” who
Orphaned thirteen-year-old Lucas Dubois is nicknamed petit eclair by the bullies because he is so wimpy, but he wishes he were brave. In the World War II historical fiction novel The Lion’s Run by Sara Pennypacker (published 2026), Lucas chooses bravery even when he is scared. It begins when he saves kittens from the bullies,
Sometimes you read something and finish it scratching your head wondering what you just read. Sometimes you finish a book and are simply blown away by the mastery of the plot and writing. And sometimes your reaction is just both. You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer (published 2026) is truly
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel (published 2016) was awarded a Caldecott-honor book for its excellent illustration. Each animal and creature sees the cat differently. The child sees the cat in child-like shapes. The mouse sees the cat as an angry, fierce predator. The fish sees the cat in a watery blur. Each
D Is for Drum: A Native American Alphabet by Michael and Debbie Shoulders (published 2013) is an alphabet book that provides a depth of understanding to dozens of Native American groups and cultures. To be a read-aloud book, each page has a short rhyming stanza about each letter of the alphabet. Then, for the more
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