Flying Lessons and Other Stories

Flying Lessons and Other Stories
by Ellen Oh (ed)
Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017. Short Stories. 218 p.
This is the children's fiction book that has received the most starred reviews so far this year. It is a collection of short stories by some well known children's authors that each deal with diversity. The main characters are a variety of colors and abilities, but the tone of the stories is positive, focusing on the commonality of human experience instead of the things that make people different. Young readers will relate to the child who is new to town, trying to make a new friend, traveling with a non-conventional grandmother, or trying a new sport. This is a great book for a family or school group to read aloud and discuss, but the stories are also entertaining enough that kids will enjoy reading them on their own. The book is available from the Library in print and on audio CD.

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Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

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Review: We're All Gonna Die-Nosaur!

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