Haitian Heritage Month

One of the observed May celebrations is Haitian Heritage Month. Even though North Dakota does not possess a large population of Haitian immigrants, introducing local patrons to cultures outside of their own aims in building empathy, knowledge, and wonder. Plus, if your library does service Haitians, these acknowledgements help show they are a valued part of the community!

Haitian Heritage Month was first celebrated in America in 1998. This celebration originated from Haitian Flag Day, commemorated in Haiti since the 1930s (DEI, 2023).

A Little About Haiti

Haiti is a country, including of a collection of islands, in the Caribbean Sea. (Part of Haiti directly borders the Dominican Republic.) Haiti is quite mountainous, although areas of plains do provide space for agriculture. Its capital is Port-au-Prince. Approximately 12 million people reside in Haiti. Between natural disasters, human depletion of natural resources, and political and social unrest, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The form of government is a republic with a prime minister, president, and two legislative houses (Ferguson, Girault, and MacLeod, 2024).

History of Haiti

Haiti possesses a long-lasting, and often devastating, history! This summary is just snippets; it would require writing a whole book to fully encompass this country’s past.

Prehistorically, the indigenous Taíno inhabited the area. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on Haiti and claimed it for Spain. Spain ruled over Haiti from approximately 1496 to 1697. During this time, most of the Taíno were killed, while enslaved African people were brought onto the island to work in gold mines and sugar plantations. From 1625 to 1697, France colonized Haiti. Sick of slavery, the Haitian Revolution began in 1791. This uprising lasted over a decade. The result entailed Haiti becoming an independent nation after over 300 years, and the first black-ruled country in the world! King Charles of France only agreed to acknowledge Haiti as independent if its people paid 150 million francs (about $21 billion in today’s money) to France. Haiti had to take out numerous debts from other countries to meet this goal. In 1838, France decreased the payout to 90 million francs (about $12.6 billion today). Even with the decrease, it took about over 100 years for Haiti’s people to pay back their loans (1947). Shortly after gaining its independence, Haiti experienced a civil war (Timeline, 2024; Ferguson, Girault, & MacLeod, 2024).

Over the course of the 1900s, Haiti experienced invasion from the U.S., the Parsley Massacre from the neighboring Dominican Republic, and distressing Hurricane Hazel. Additionally, this was a time of great political unrest with various presidents being overthrown (Timeline, 2024; Ferguson, Girault, & MacLeod, 2024).

The early 2000s primarily brought more destruction through hurricanes (Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Gustav, Ike, and Matthew), flooding, tropical storms (Fay and Hanna), two high-magnitude earthquakes, and a cholera outbreak. Thousands of Haitians were killed, 100s of thousands were left homeless, and the country’s economy continued to take hit after hit. Political unrest continues to rage today (Timeline, 2024; Ferguson, Girault, & MacLeod, 2024).

Haitians Immigration to the U.S.

As of 2022, approximately 731,000 Haitians reside in the United States. This migration trend really started in the 1980s. Most Haitians flock to Florida, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Haitian immigrants primarily work in healthcare fields, and as manual labors (Dain & Batalova, 2023).

Haitian Culture

Haitian culture infuses French, African, and West Indies elements. Its values are deep-rooted in family connections, respect of others, and celebrations. (Some such celebrations include Mardi Gras, Dessalines Day, Haitian Flag Day, and Labor and Agriculture Day.) Typical foods in Haitian culture include rice and beans, sweet potatoes, manioc, yams, corn, pigeon peas, cowpeas, bread, and coffee. Sugarcane, mangoes, sweetbread, and peanut and sesame seed clusters are also used for treats. One of their celebratory meals is soup Joumou. Recipe is available here (Haiti, n.d.).

. Nearly all Haitians are of African descent with many of those being the ancestors of slaves. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole. There is no official religion of Haiti; however, Roman Catholic, various versions of Protestant, and Voodoo/Vodou are all practiced (Ferguson, Girault, and MacLeod, 2024).

Books

Haiti A to Z: A Bilingual ABC Book about the Pearl of the Antilles by M.J. Fievre (Preschool through Elementary)

My First Book – Haiti: All About Haiti For Kids by Penelope Palette (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Haitian Flag Day: Fleurina’s Way by Jinica Dauphin (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Mmmmm! Soup Joumou! by Carline Smothers (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Zandolit: A Mango Eating Gecko by Nahomie Vilnaigre (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Janjak and Freda Go to the Iron Market by Elizabeth J Turnbull (Preschool through Lower Elementary)

Haiti: The First Black Republic by Frantz Derenoncourt Jr. (Elementary)

Haiti My Country by Roge (Upper Elementary through Middle School)

Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti by Frances Temple (Upper Elementary through Middle School)

Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat (Middle School)

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite (High School)

Open Gate: An Anthology of Haitian Creole Poetry by Edited by Paul Laraque and Jack Hirschman (High School and Adult)

Haiti History 101: The Definitive Guide to Haitian History by Kreyolicious (Adult)

For Whom the Dogs Spy: Haiti: From the Duvalier Dictatorships to the Earthquake, Four Presidents, and Beyond by Raymond A. Joseph (Adult)

Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti by Jake Johnston (Adult)

A Taste of Haiti by Mirta Yurnet-Thomas (Adult)

Remembrance by Rita Woods (Adult)

Reading Thomas Merton and Longing for God in Haiti: Learning Wisdom in the School of My Life by Gerard Thomas Straub (Adult)

Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution by Marlene L. Daut (Adult)

Haiti Flavors: Try Cooking Haitian Food: Unique Haitian Dishes by Cedrick Garand (Adult)

Black Haiti: A Story of the Haitian Slave Revolt; or, A Biography of Africa’s Eldest Daughter by Blair Niles (Adult)

Other Learning Resources

Library of Congress: Research Guides
Mandaly Louis-Charles: Haitian Creole
Haitian Voices
Ancient History: The Truth of Voodoo Revealed (Video)
Haitian Creole – The World’s Most Widely Spoken Creole Language (Video)

Haitian Library Programming Ideas

1. Teach Haitian Creole (A children’s programming resource is here; All ages resources can be found here.)
2. Celebrate Haitian Flag Day – May 18^th. (A brief history of the Haitian flag is available here.) Common celebratory activities include fireworks, parades, dressing in the flag colors of red and blue, and sharing meals.
3. Incorporate Caribbean music into other programming. (Example one, two, and three.)
4. Story tell with Haitian folklore. (Tale example one, two, and three.)
5. Conduct a book club using Haitian literature. I would recommend Edwidge Danticat’s Krik? Krak! (Adult programming)
6. Explore Haitian art (Resource one, two, and three). Using these techniques, patrons can create their own Haitian-inspired art!
7. Teach history of Voodoo/Vodou. Popular culture has established a tie between Vodou and evil spirits. However, the real history of this belief system takes quite a different approach! Resources can be found here, here, and here.

References

Dain, B., & Batalova, J. (2023, November 8). Haitian immigration in the United States. Migration Policy Institute. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/haitian-immigrants-united-states.

DEI Department. (2023, May 16). Haitian heritage month. Evident Change. https://evidentchange.org/blog/haitian-heritage-month/#:~:text=Haitian%20Heritage%20Month%20celebration%20is,in%20Haiti%20in%20the%201930s.

Ferguson, J.A., Girault, C.A., & MacLeod, M.J. (2024, April 21). Haiti. In Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti.

Haiti. (n.d.). In World Culture Encyclopedia. https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Haiti.html.

Timelines: Haiti’s history and current crisis, explained. (2024, April 10). Concern Worldwide U.S. https://concernusa.org/news/timeline-haiti-history/.

Dinosaurs for Kids

If dinosaurs were to roam the earth today, people would likely react in one of two ways:  terrorized or delighted. This list is for the second group! If you have a topic request for a Top Picks email me at tlkruger@nd.gov.

1. Digging Up Dinosaur Fossils by Charlotte Taylor
   Publish Date: 2022
   Publisher: Enslow Publishing
   Summary: This informational text explains the history and science of dinosaur fossils. It comes with a glossary and other suggested readings and websites. Digging Up Dinosaur Fossils is a part of the Dig Deep in Fossils series.
   Best For: Second through Fourth Grade

2. Dinosaur Wars: Deadly Dinosaurs Go Head-To-Head by Dr. Phil Manning
   Publish Date: 2014
   Publisher: TickTock
   Summary: Fans of the Who Would Win series will love Dinosaur Wars! This nonfictional text faces off eight sets of dinosaurs in battle. Who will be victorious and who will be lunch/go hungry? Facts about dinosaurs and life during the Mesozoic Era are sprinkled throughout this text.
   Best For: Fourth through Seventh Grade

3. Pteranodon by Aaron Carr and John Willis
   Publish Date: 2022
   Publisher: AV²
   Summary: This text details the Pteranodon, one of the prehistoric flying reptiles. While Pteranodons were not actually dinosaurs, they are likely to appeal to the dino-loving crowd! Body build, likely eating habits, and habitat are all explored. There is a short quiz for learners at the end of the book. This is an AV² (interactive eBook).
   Best For: First through Third Grade

4. National Geographic Kids: Dinosaur Atlas by National Geographic
   Publish Date: 2022
   Publisher: National Geographic
   Summary: Journey across time as the Earth slowly shifted and witness a wide variety of prehistoric creatures! Discover how some of these beings took to the land and others to water or air, and what their habitats were like. Explore how these prehistoric lands correspond to current locations and hear from paleontologists about the groundbreaking discoveries they are making in these fossil-rich places today. This text highlights specific creatures, grouped by modern-day continents. It comes with a dinosaur dictionary, glossary, index, and other suggested resources.
   Best For: Third through Eighth Grade

5. Dinosaurs: Fact and Fable by Seymour Simon
Publish Date: 2020
Publisher: HarperCollins
Summary: Dinosaurs have been a common topic of study! Along the way, plenty of facts and myths have been uncovered! Seymour Simon’s text explains several aspects of dinosaurs, such as different types of fossils, a new definition of dinosaurs, and decoding of mysteries surrounding these creatures. This book contains an index, glossary, and further reading suggestions.
Best For: Second through Sixth Grade

6. Dinosaurs are Not Extinct: Real Facts about Real Dinosaurs by Drew Shannon  
Publish Date: 2020
Publisher: Harper
Summary: This Flicker Tale nominee tells a tale of evolution and survival. Dinosaurs roamed the earth until a massive asteroid hit, causing mass extinction. However, not all dinosaurs ceased to exist; some evolved into a very common animal species that we see today…birds! This book is filled with humor and facts.
Best For:  Kindergarten through Third Grade

7. What if You Had T. Rex Teeth!? And Other Dinosaur Parts by Sandra Markle
Publish Date: 2023
Publisher: Scholastic
Summary: Dinosaurs came with all sorts of body parts that helped them do different things! (For example, Edmontosaurus’ shovel-shaped jaw was perfect for scooping up plants for dinner!) This edition to the What If You Had series helps kids discover what it would be like if they had dinosaur body parts. 
Best For: Kindergarten through Fourth Grade

8. Kid Paleontologist: Explore the Remarkable Dinosaurs, Fossils Finds, and Discoveries of the Prehistoric Era by Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: 2023
Publisher: Appleseed Press Book Publishers LLC
Summary: This title helps kids discover the job of paleontologists, as well as dives into characteristics of nearly 100 fossil finds throughout history! Details such as the creature’s size, any defining body parts, the time era in which they lived, and their geographic location are outlined.
Best For: Third through Seventh Grade

9) Dinosaurs with Plates, Horns, and Frills by Tim Batty  
Publish Date: 2022 
Publisher: PowerKids Press 
Summary: This dino-facts packed book features 11 species of dinosaurs. Each creature has a narrative write-up as well as statistics. (Some statistics include diet, maximum length and height, and the meaning of their scientific names.) Additionally, there is a glossary and some suggested learning materials.    
Best For: Fourth through Sixth Grade   

10. Dinosaurs by Joanna Brundle
Publish Date: 2021
Publisher: PowerKids Press
Summary: Dinosaurs places similar dinosaurs into groups (theropods, thyreophorans, sauropods, ornithopods, ceratopsians, and pachycephalosaurs), outlines dinosaurs’ physical features and habitats, and gives information about the end of dinosaurs. A glossary and index are present. This title is a part of the Discover and Learn series.
Best For: Third through Sixth Grade

Summer Olympics and the School Library

There is approximately a month and a half left of the 2023-2024 school year; both educators and students are feeling antsy! How about taking some time to get a little active…the 2024 Summer Olympics is the perfect inspiration!

A Little History about the Olympics 

Scheduling 

The Summer Olympics occur every four years. Paris, France hosts in 2024. This year, the Olympic Games run from July 26^th through August 11^th. There is a Winter Olympics, which also occurs every four years. The scheduling of the Summer and Winter Olympics alternate so that one section of the Games occurs every two years. To help clarify, the next Winter Games will be in 2026, with the following Winter Games in 2030; the next Summer Games is in 2024, and the following Summer Games will be in 2028 (Olympic, 2024).

Early Games 

The original Olympics were part of a festival honoring Zeus and were held in Greece. For its first 13 years, a 600-foot race was the sole athletic event during this festival. Eventually other events were introduced, including wrestling, javelin throw, discus throw, and chariot racing. Only men competed. The Olympics ran every four years, forming an Olympiad. While historians are not in complete agreement as to when the Olympics began, 776 BC is widely accepted as the start date. In approximately 393 AD, with the fall of the Greek empire to Rome, the Olympic Games were put to a stop (The, n.d.).

Modern Olympic Games 

The Olympic Games made a comeback in 1896 with Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The first return of the Games occurred in Athens, Greece, as a bit of an honor to this event’s heritage (The, n.d.).

Some of the events of the modern Olympic Games include kayaking, judo, table tennis, track and field, and aquatics. Both men and women participate. Until the 1980s, only amateur athletes could compete.

Olympic Motto and Flag 

The motto for the Olympic Games is Citius. Altius. Fortius; this translates to “Faster. Higher. Stronger.”

The Olympic flag entails five interlaced circles, which symbolize the five continents of contestants. Each ring is a different color: blue, yellow, black, green, and red. These colors were chosen since they occur in nearly all the flags from across partaking countries (Olympic, 2024).

International Olympic Committee 

The International Olympic Committee (or IOC) manages the Olympic Games. One of their biggest tasks entails determining which cities will host upcoming Olympics. Cities, not entire countries, apply for this honor. The IOC places high importance on hosting cities not discriminating competitors from other countries due to religion, color, or political affiliation (Olympic, 2024).

Notable Past Olympic Athletes 

While it could certainly be argued that Olympic athletes in general are incredible, the following list highlights ten who stand out for their achievements.

1. Michael Phelps – USA – Swimming. Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals to his name!
2. Larisa Latynina – Ukraine – Gymnastics. Prior to Michael Phelps, Latynina was the most decorated Olympian of all time with 18 medals. Additionally, she is the one of only three women to win the same event at the Summer Games three Olympics in a row!
3. Paavo Nurmi – Finland – Track. Nurmi was the runner to beat during the 1920s taking home nine gold medals in the sport over three Olympic Games (1920, 1924, and 1928)!
4. Edoardo Mangiarotti – Italy – Fencing. Mangiarotti won 13 Olympic medals, in addition to 26 World Championship medals!
5. Jesse Owens – USA – Track. Owens, a Black man, disproved Hitler’s theory that Caucasians are superior to other races while competing in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
6. Teofilo Stevenson – Cuba – Boxing. Stevenson, an amateur boxer, was the first fighter to win three Olympic gold medals in one weight class.
7. Nadia Comaneci – Romania – Gymnastics. Comaneci, at the age of 14, achieved the first perfect 10 scoring in her sport! She would go on to repeat this feat six more times!
8. Eric ‘the Eel’ Moussambani — Equatorial Guinea – Swimming. Moussambani was far from a well-trained Olympian athlete. Instead, he was a lottery pick in the International Olympic Committee’s attempt to encourage more developing countries to take part in the Olympic Games. Moussambani certainty did not win any medals; however, his go-getter attitude made him a favorite among the 2000 Games!
9. Birgit Fischer – Germany – Kayaking. Fischer was both the youngest (18) and oldest (42) Olympic canoeing champion! Fischer won gold medals at each of her six Olympic Games.

10) Fanny Blankers-Koen – Netherlands – Track. Blankers-Koen became the first woman to win four gold medals during one Olympic Game (1948). As a wife and mother, it was already unusual for her to be competing; however, it was later discovered she had been pregnant at the time!

Teaching Resources 

1. The Ancient Origins of the Olympics – Armand D’Angour (YouTube video)
2. The Olympics, Explained (YouTube video)
3. The History and Symbols of The Olympics (YouTube video)
4. Olympics 2024! Fun Olympics Crafts and Ideas for Kids
5. Olympic Timeline Worksheet (Could be made into a wall-sized timeline where students conduct their own research)
6. Learn the Flags of the Summer Games
7. Olympic Mapping Activity
8. Athlete Biographies
9. Olympic Museum Resource Library

Library-Friendly “Olympic” Activities 

1. Minute to Win It Games (Examples are here, here and here.)
2. STEM Track and Field Inspired Activities for Kids
3. Popcorn Olympics in the Library
4. Mini-Olympics Games and Activities

Books about the Olympics and Athletes 

The Frog Olympics by Brian Moses (Preschool and Kindergarten)

Curious George and the Summer Games by H. A. Rey (Preschool and Lower Elementary)

She’s Got This by Laurie Hernandez (Preschool and Lower Elementary)

Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson (Lower Elementary)

Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer by Reem Faruqi (Lower Elementary)

G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet by Brad Herzog (Elementary)

100 Amazing Facts about The Olympic Games by Marc Dresgui (Upper Elementary)

The Olympics Encyclopedia for Kids by Chris Mcdougall (Upper Elementary)

How Do You Become an Olympian?: A Book About the Olympics and Olympic Athletes by Madeleine Kelly (Upper Elementary)

Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics Library by Chris Grabenstein (Upper Elementary)

What Are the Summer Olympics? by Gail Herman (Upper Elementary)

Kid Olympians: Summer: True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers by Robin Stevenson (Upper Elementary)

Olympic Goats: The Greatest Athletes of All Time by Bruce Berglund (Upper Elementary and Middle School)

Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein (Middle School)

The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation): The True Story of an American Team’s Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel James Brown (Middle School)

Inaugural Ballers: The True Story of the First US Women’s Olympic Basketball Team by Andrew Maraniss (Middle and High School)

Legacy of the Mat: Stories from the Lives of Olympic Athletes Jim and Dave Hazewinkel by Jim Hazewinkel and Bob Cundiff (High School)

The Watermen: The Birth of American Swimming and One Young Man’s Fight to Capture Olympic Gold by Michael Loynd (High School)

Olympic Pride, American Prejudice: The Untold Story of 18 African Americans Who Defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to Compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Deborah Riley Draper and Travis Thrasher (High School)

Total Olympics: Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic, and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing by Jeremy Fuchs (High School)

For a Little Extra Fun 

Various libraries have administered Adult Library Olympic events, such as “Synchronized Stamping,” “Speed Weeding,’ “Fastest Check-in of a Full Book Drop Competition,” and “Competitive Copier Toner Changing.” If you are in a larger district with multiple librarians/library assistants or take part in PD groups across surrounding districts do not hesitate to conduct your own Library Olympic Games! By the end of the school year, we could all use a little extra fun after all!

References 

Olympic games. (2024, April 2). In Brittanica. https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games.

The real story of the ancient Olympic games. (n.d.). Penn Museum. https://www.penn.museum/sites/olympics/olympicorigins.shtml#:~:text=Although%20the%20ancient%20Games%20were,presented%20the%20idea%20in%201894.

Women’s History

With March being Women’s History Month, what better time to highlight books about women? This list of titles contains stories ranging from the 1800s to modern day, as well as from around the world. These titles are intended for adult audiences. If you have a topic request for a Top Picks, email me at tlkruger@nd.gov.

1. Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business by Diana Kapp 

Publish Date: 2019 
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Summary: This title highlights 31 women CEOs, broken down into the categories of fashion/apparel, food, science, jewelry/accessories, makeup, flowers, stationary, apps/tech, media, fitness, home, packaging, and construction. Some companies mentioned include 23andMe, Spanx, EpiBone, Little Lotus, Bare Minerals, SoulCycle, and Poo-Pourri. Tips and tricks for how to start (and sustain) a business are also present.

2. Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Helene Cooper 

Publish Date: 2017 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Summary: From a young age, Liberia-native Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was said to be meant for big things. Over the course of her life, which began in 1938, Ellen would be a young bride and mother, go onto American colleges for extended education, leave an abusive marriage, and hold various financial jobs in both American and Liberian governments. After seeing her home country of Liberia torn apart by poor presidential management, and civil war, 67-year-old Ellen ran for presidential office herself! During her time in office, Ellen worked towards improving women’s and children’s rights, cleaning up the country, eliminating national debt, and protecting her people from a horrible Ebola outbreak. She would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.

3. I Go to America: Swedish American Women and the Life of Mina Anderson by Joy K. Lintelman

Publish Date: 2009 
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Summary: In the years of 1881 through 1920 approximately a quarter of a million single, young Swedish women left their home country to come to America. These women were looking for increased social and financial opportunities. While some writers have painted these immigrants as miserable and lonely in their decision to migrate, many Swedish women experienced a different reality. Mina Anderson was one such woman. This Sweden-born adventurer and writer moved to the United States, found better opportunities as a domestic servant, married, raised seven children, established and ran a farm, wrote for a local Swedish-American newspaper, and loved her new country while still appreciating her homeland!

4) Courageous Women of the Vietnam War: Medics, Journalists, Survivors, and More by Kathryn J. Atwood 

Publish Date: 2018 
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Summary: The Vietnam War was a very controversial time in world history. It began as a civil war between Communist North Vietnam and “Democratic” South Vietnam, and both sides gained supporters from around the world. People, on both sides of the conflict, did what they felt was right for their beliefs and society. This text outlines the experiences of 14 women during the Vietnam War, some supporting the North while others supporting the South. Additionally, background information, especially involving the United States’ presidents during this time, is documented for some clarification.

5) Women of Walt Disney Imagineering: 12 Women Reflect on Their Trailblazing Theme Park Careers by Karen Connolly Armitage, et. al.

Publish Date: 2022 
Publisher: Disney Editions 
Summary: Women of Walt Disney Imagineering offers experiences from 12 women who worked in creating and maintaining the magic of Disney theme parks. The jobs performed vary from landscape designers, illustrators, wardrobe and prop creators, lighting specialists, advertising/promotional specialists, and setting designers. All contributing authors touch on how they overcame adversity, often with hard work, humor, and persistence.

6) Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, From the Civil War to the 21^st Century by Jasmine Brown 

Publish Date: 2023 
Publisher: Beacon Press
Summary: This text highlights nine extraordinary black women who fought against the odds to become physicians. The earliest, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, achieved her medical degree fourteen months after the Emancipation Proclamation. The most recent, Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, led healthcare reform at the United States’ executive branch level! Each of these women worked though sexism, racism, and overall nah-sayers. Some founded hospitals and healthcare agencies; others taught that the little moments of caring often mean the most! 

7) Birthing the West: Mothers and Midwives in the Rockies and Plains by Jennifer J. Hill

Publish Date: 2022 
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Summary: Childbirth is not only necessary for the continuation of a species, but it is also often a social construct. For many women in the Rocky Mountains and plains regions, particularly in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, giving birth was an occasion for celebration, but also one often associated with fear and isolation. Birthing the West explains the roles of all members of the community, with a special emphasis on midwives, in supporting these expectant mothers, as well as detailed differences between Native American and Euro-American birthing practices.

8) The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore

Publish Date: 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Summary: During the early 1900s, American females, many of whom were in their mid to late teens, found opportunity to make good money working as dial-painters. These luminous dials were used by military personnel and contained radium. These “radium girls” were told that their exposure was in such small amounts that it was perfectly safe. However, time told another story! The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women outlines several workers developing mysterious ailments from across the country, the company cover ups attempted, and various fights for justice!

9) Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady’s Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneill

Publish Date: 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Summary: The author walks readers through Victorian times in this funny, and at times sarcastic, history lesson! Topics addressed include hygiene, sexual relationships, manners, women’s mental health–especially when it comes to hysteria–and proper fashion of the times. Various images from Victorian publications also adorn the pages throughout.

10) A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win Word War II by Sonia Purnell

Publication Date: 2019 
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Summary: Meet Virginia Hall, charming socialite and special operations spy! Unsuspecting Virginia, already one to buck traditional female roles, became the first Allied woman spy in Germany-occupied France. Labeled “The Limping Lady” for her prosthetic leg, Virginia worked diligently to assist the French through spy networks, running safehouses, and delivering important information to British officials. Her 13-month stint in the country saved numerous Allied lives, as well as helped turn the course of WWII!

Representation Matters: Black History and Characters for Preteens and Teens

Last month’s Top Picks suggested titles involving black history and characters for kids. This month continues that theme with books for preteens and teenagers. If you have a topic request for a Top Picks, email me at tlkruger@nd.gov. 

1) Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South by Wade Hudson
Publish Date: 2021
Publisher: Random House Books Kids
Summary: African American Wade Hudson grew up in Louisiana during the Civil Rights Movement. While he took part in many of the typical aspects of childhood, such as playing with friends, attending school, and being a part of a (sometimes dysfunctional) family, he also grew up surrounded by segregation and racial injustices. As a young man, Wade found his voice and begin writing. While in college, Wade helped form SOUL (Society for Opportunity, Unity, and Leadership). His acts with this group, among other avenues of protest, ultimately led to him being arrested. This memoir outlines what it was like growing up during a time of great racial and political turmoil, and how those lessons carry over to today’s United States. As a forewarning, there is a little bit of swearing in this tale.
Best For:  Fifth through Eighth Grade  

2) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer 
Publish Date: 2015 
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers  
Summary: When famine struck William Kamkwamba’s small village in Malawi, his family and neighbors were placed in a dire situation. With little to eat and nothing to sell, they made several sacrifices just to survive. After being unable to pay for secondary schooling, William headed to the local library. Once there, he explored books about science, particularly those that could help his village. He discovered a windmill that used wind energy to create electricity. This determined young teen began working on building his own windmill out of scrape metal and old bicycle parts! His creation would spark ideas for other ways to help his family and those around the world.
Best For:  Fifth through Ninth Grade   

3) Give Me Wings: How a Choir of Slaves Took on the World by Kathy Lowinger
Publish Date: 2015
Publisher: Annick Press
Summary: Ella Sheppard was born into slavery. Her family later bought their freedom and moved to Ohio. As a young woman, Ella attended the Fisk Free Colored School, better known as Fisk University. After less than a decade of operation, the school was running out of money; stakeholders needed to think fast! Ella became a founding member of a traveling choir, the Jubilee Singers; this musical group helped raise the funds necessary to keep Fisk open.
Best For: Seventh through Ninth Grade

4) Young, Gifted and Black, Too by Jamia Wilson
Publish Date: 2023
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Summary: This text highlights 52 predominant black figures throughout history and around the world. Writers, artists, scientists, athletes, politicians, country leaders, and activists are mentioned. Each session gives a brief introduction to a black figure, including when and where they lived, and any of their major accomplishments.
Best For: Fourth through Eighth Grade  

5) Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds  
Publish Date: 2017
Publisher: Atheneum
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Will has seen a lot of death in his short life. After his brother, Shawn, was shot and killed, Will focuses on following THE RULES:  No crying, no snitching, do get revenge. An eventful trip in the elevator reintroduces Will to deceased people of his past and makes him question if continuing the cycle of violence is worthwhile. This title is written in verse and contains some swearing.
Best For: High School and Beyond

6) March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine by Melba Pattillo Beals  
Publish Date: 2018 
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt  
Summary: This biographical tale outlines the experiences of black child, Melba Pattillo Beals, as she navigates life in segregated Arkansas in the 1940s and 1950s. Melba knows the “rules,” ways to stay safe from the KKK and other cruel white citizens. However, she also longs to buck against these unjust systems! After the Supreme Court rules separate but equal unconstitutional, Melba becomes a part of an Arkansas experiment of allowing black students into otherwise all white schools. This story is a testament to her faith, grit, and determination to truly be free.   
Best For: Eighth Grade through High School 

7) Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. 
Publish Date: 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Focus
Summary: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides readers through America’s past and how lives and liberty were handled for black Americans between the end of the Civil War and during Reconstruction. This historical time involved a great deal of struggle, racial segregation, and questioning of what it means to truly be free. This title intertwines real-life accounts, quotations, and photographs with a fast-paced narrative!
Best For: Eighth Grade and Beyond   

8) The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Publish Date: 2018
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Summary: Caleb Franklin is tired of his ordinary existence. He yearns for adventure and finds it in 16-year-old Styx Malone. Styx leads Caleb and his brother, Bobby Gene, B.G. for short, in the Great Escalator Trade! However, things are not entirely on the up-and-up and the Franklin brothers find themselves in over their heads. Can this extraordinary friendship survive? This title is a Coretta Scott King Award honoree.
Best For: Fourth through Eighth Grade 

9) Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Publish Date: 2010
Publisher: Scholastic
Summary: Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives with her Mama Ya-Ya in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. Both Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya are outcasts—one for her ability to see ghosts and the other for her visions about the future. Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, leaving severe devastation in its wake. Lanesha must find great strength within herself to weather both physical and emotional storms. This title is a Coretta Scott King Award honoree book.
Best For:  Fourth through Seventh Grade  

10) Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams  
Publish Date: 2020
Publisher: Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 
Summary: Genesis Anderson has 96 reasons why she does not like herself; she remembers the exact number because she keeps a list! From her dad’s gambling and drinking problems, to experiencing numerous evictions, to being too dark skinned, Genesis regularly feels like an outsider. This 13-year-old is willing to try nearly anything to fix her family and herself. But at what cost?    

Best For: Fourth through Eighth Grade  

Reading Wrap-up…wrap-up!

Part of last month’s Beanstack challenge asked you to share your favorite read from 2023. I gathered them and here they are to help jump start to your 2024 reading goal. (In no particular order… 😊)

1. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Wildly entertaining.” -The New York Times “Ingenious.” -The Washington Post New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else. When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world. Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market. But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them… Like his novels The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and The Final Girl Support Group, How to Sell a Haunted House is classic Hendrix: equal parts heartfelt and terrifying—a gripping new read from “the horror master” (USA Today).

2. Songteller by Dolly Parton

For the first time ever, legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton brings you behind the lyrics of 175 of her songs to reveal the personal stories and vibrant memories that have inspired sixty years of songwriting. Lushly illustrated and told in Dolly’s inimitable voice, this rich collection offers an intimate, exclusive look at the colorful life, prolific career, and rags-to-rhinestones journey of one of the most revered entertainers of our time. 

3. Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper’s Daughter, Angeline Boulley takes us back to Sugar Island in this high-stakes thriller about the power of discovering your stolen history. Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known who she is – the laidback twin, the troublemaker, the best fisher on Sugar Island. Her aspirations won’t ever take her far from home, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. But as the rising number of missing Indigenous women starts circling closer to home, as her family becomes embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation, and as greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe, Perry begins to question everything. In order to reclaim this inheritance for her people, Perry has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She can only count on her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming new boy in town with unwavering morals. Old rivalries, sister secrets, and botched heists cannot – will not – stop her from uncovering the mystery before the ancestors and missing women are lost forever. Sometimes, the truth shouldn’t stay buried. 

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

James Clear, an expert on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. He draws on proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. 

5. Narwahl’s Otter Friend by Ben Clanton 

“Narwhal and Jelly… and Otty?! Exuberant Narwhal and skeptical Jelly test the waters of adding a new friend to their pod when they meet Otty the super-adventurous otter in the fourth book of this blockbuster early graphic novel series! Dive into three new stories about the joy of adventure and the power of friendship! In the first story, Otty the otter makes her debut splash; while Narwhal greets her with immediate enthusiasm, Jelly’s not so sure about her… mostly because he worries she’ll take his place as Narwhal’s best friend. Readers will easily see why Narwhal’s so excited to meet Otty, a boisterous explorer who even has an aunt who’s a real live sea captain! But readers will also relate to Jelly’s uneasiness seeing his best friend making a new pal. Jelly tries to work out his jealousy in story two, and in story three, the new trio say “Ahoy, adventure!” and discover they all have more in common than they thought… including a love of waffles! Jelly also takes over the “Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick” comic providing a sidekick’s-eye-view of defeating the dreaded dEVILed egg!”– Provided by publisher. 

6. Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle

“A country truck feels out of place in the speedy, noisy city until he comes to the rescue during a giant traffic jam.” 

7. Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose

Stephen E. Ambrose’s iconic New York Times bestseller about the ordinary men who became the World War II’s most extraordinary soldiers: Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, US Army. They came together, citizen soldiers, in the summer of 1942, drawn to Airborne by the $50 monthly bonus and a desire to be better than the other guy. And at its peak—in Holland and the Ardennes—Easy Company was as good a rifle company as any in the world. From the rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to the disbanding in 1945, Stephen E. Ambrose tells the story of this remarkable company. In combat, the reward for a job well done is the next tough assignment, and as they advanced through Europe, the men of Easy kept getting the tough assignments. They parachuted into France early D-Day morning and knocked out a battery of four 105 mm cannon looking down Utah Beach; they parachuted into Holland during the Arnhem campaign; they were the Battered Bastards of the Bastion of Bastogne, brought in to hold the line, although surrounded, in the Battle of the Bulge; and then they spearheaded the counteroffensive. Finally, they captured Hitler’s Bavarian outpost, his Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden. They were rough-and-ready guys, battered by the Depression, mistrustful and suspicious. They drank too much French wine, looted too many German cameras and watches, and fought too often with other GIs. But in training and combat they learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They discovered that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them. This is the story of the men who fought, of the martinet they hated who trained them well, and of the captain they loved who led them. E Company was a company of men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other, a company that took 150 percent casualties, a company where the Purple Heart was not a medal—it was a badge of office.” 

8. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

“Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman’s place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America’s most beloved TV cooking show. Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The only man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He’s also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it’s the early 60s??) and the star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s singular approach to cooking (‘take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride’) and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn’t just teaching women how to cook, she’s teaching them how to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist”– Provided by publisher. 

9. What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

“From #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline comes a pulse-pounding new novel. Your family has been attacked, never again to be the same. Now you have to choose between law…and justice. Jason Bennett is a suburban dad who owns a court-reporting business, but one night, his life takes a horrific turn. He is driving his family home after his daughter’s field hockey game when a pickup truck begins tailgating them on a dark stretch of road. Suddenly two men jump from the pickup and pull guns on Jason, demanding the car. A horrific flash of violence changes his life forever. Later that awful night, Jason and his family receive a visit from the FBI. The agents tell them that the carjackers were members of a dangerous drug-trafficking organization—and now Jason and his family are in their crosshairs. The agents advise the Bennetts to enter the witness protection program right away, and they have no choice but to agree. But WITSEC was designed to protect criminal informants, not law-abiding families. Taken from all they know, trapped in an unfamiliar life, the Bennetts begin to fall apart at the seams. Then, Jason learns a shocking truth and realizes that he has to take matters into his own hands. Sometimes justice is a one-man show.” 

10. Assistant to the Villian by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance. ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits. With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So, when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive Evie. But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out. Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay. After all, a good job is hard to find. 

Summaries from the Polaris catalog.