From the monthly archives:
Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2003)
Anning discovered the bones of an ichthyosaur as a child and from then on fossils dominated her life.
For more information, read about Anning on the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology site.
The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge, 2008)
Not yet published, but in the queue, this bio about the brothers who invented eye-popping colors is sure to be a hit.
Day-Glo worms? View “A Primer on Marine Flatworms for K-12 Students” at the University of New Hampshire site and you’ll be a believer.
The other half of this duo, Joe Switzer was born on August 16, 1915.
Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Leonard Jenkins (HarperCollins, 2000)
Malcolm X did not have an easy childhood and was assassinated at the age of 40. In an account of his life, readers will gain insights into this controversial and influential leader.
The Offical Web Site of Malcolm X contains a biography, chronology, achievements, photos, and fast facts about the civil right activist.
Strange Mr. Satie by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Petra Mathers (Viking, 2003)
The eccentric French composer’s life and music is examined in this picture book biography about him.
Pictures and paintings of Satie can be seen on a site dedicated to him and his work.
My Senator and Me: A Dog’s Eye View of Washington D.C. by Edward Kennedy, illustrated by David Small (Scholastic, 2006)
Told from the dog’s point of view, Splash takes readers through a day in the life of Senator Edward Kennedy.
Read a behind-the-scenes interview with Cheryl Klein, the editor of this book on the Scholastic web site.
Joe Louis: America’s Fighter by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener (Gulliver, 2005)
After seeing boxers at a gym, Louis found his calling. He was known as the “Brown Bomber.”
Read more about Louis at his Official Site.
Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)
Half of the popular Gilbert & Sullivan duo, Sullivan was an English composer who first worked with Gilbert in 1871.
Visit the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive at Boise State today.
Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
Valens was the California music sensation and singer of Donna and La Bamba. He was the first Mexican-American rock and roll star. Unfortunately he died in a small plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.
Go to the Ritchie Valens Official Web Site for information on his life, his music and his family.
Little Stevie Wonder by Quincy Troupe, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)
Written in free verse, this picture book about singing great Stevie Wonder will make readers cheer. The gifted African-American artist who is visually impaired is an inspiration to all.
Dissertations, theses and papers published about Wonder, songs, tours/appearances and awards are posted on the Stevie Wonder World of Wonder site hosted in the UK.
A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1997)
Nurse extraordinaire, Nightingale changed her profession for the better and served with compassionate care.
Read a bio of Nightingale at the The Florence Nightingale Museum in the UK.
