Picture Books - Biographies and Older Readers

The Middle Passage

White Ships/ Black Cargo

by Tom Feelings
Grade 5-12
This book's black and white pictures tell the story of Africans that were captured and taken in the slave trade.  The haunting pictures show the horrors that these men and women faced in the Middle Passage which refers to the voyage from Africa to the new world.





Talking Walls
by Margy Burns Knight

Grade 2-8

From the Great Wall of China, to the Berlin Wall and on to the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C.  This book takes a journey around the world to tell about sacred and treasured walls from many different cultures. 






Smoky Night
by Eve Bunting

Grade K-6

This story tells of the night of the Los Angeles riots through the eyes of a young boy.  When families are forced to leave their homes they learn to accept others by taking an example from two cats.

Abe's Honest Words
The life of Abraham Lincoln
by Doreen Rappaport
Grade 2-8

Abraham Lincoln was called Honest Abe because he always told the truth.  This biography's beautiful illustrations along with Abe's own words help to tell his story. 

Ellington Was Not a Street
by Ntozake Shange
Grade K-6

Duke Ellington and his band are remembered by a small girl in this beautiful picture book.  The story is written as a poem and gives a small history of each band member.

The Butterfly
by Patricia Polacco
Grade 2-8

The Nazis have taken over the small town in France where Monique lives.  She wakes one night to find a young girl that she thinks is a ghost.  When she speaks to her she finds that the girl is very real and so is her family that is living under her floor.  Monique must now keep her new friend's secret to ensure that everyone remains safe.

Tea With Milk
by Allen Say
Grade 2-6

May is a Japanese girl that was born in America.  When her parents decide that they miss their homeland they move back to Japan.  May does not know the Japanese ways and wants nothing more than to go home to America.

John, Paul, George & Ben
by Lane Smith
Grade K-4

A comical look at the founding fathers of our country.  John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin each had an important job to help form our government.

The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence
by Edith St. George
Grade 2-8

The Declaration of Independence had passed through many hands and many places on its journey to the Archives.  This story tells of the beginning of our country and the problems that have made us have to keep the document safe.