Cooperative Collection Development

When the Slave Esperanza Garcia Wrote a Letter

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

In 1770, the slave Esperança Garcia bravely penned a letter to the governor of Piauí state, in Brazil, describing how she and her children were being mistreated and requesting permission to return to the farm where the rest of her family was living. Before she wrote her letter, Esperança Garcia lived on a cotton farm run by Jesuit priests, where she learned to read and write — a rare opportunity for a woman, especially a slave.

Author: 
When the Slave Esperanza Garcia Wrote a Letter

How Nothing Became Everything: The Mystery of Life

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

How did nonliving atoms evolve into modern people? Find out in this engaging illustrated exploration of how nothing became everything.

The science of evolution is a topic of utmost importance, especially as the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education continues to increase. Fortunately, important doesn’t have to mean boring. From explaining how scientists discovered how life began on earth to speculating about whether space aliens are carnivores, this engaging investigation of all things evolution is infused with fun as well as facts.

How Nothing Became Everything: The Mystery of Life

Binny in Secret

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

School has started, and Binny can't believe how terrible it is. She has a horrid hand-me-down uniform, and the kids make fun of her "posh" city accent.

Then a storm destroys the roof of Binny's house. Binny; her mother; her sensible older sister, Clem; and her rambunctious brother, James (and his chickens) are forced to move across town to a rental home at the end of a forbidding, unlit lane. Things only get worse when she calls their new landlady a "bossy old witchy woman" at school...in front of the landlady's daughter, Clare, who starts bullying Binny mercilessly.

Author: 
Binny in Secret

Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

The author of My Name Is María Isabel offers an inspiring look at her childhood in Cuba in this collection that includes Where the Flame Trees Bloom, Under the Royal Palms, five new stories, and more.

Author: 
Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba

Lost in the Sun

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is.
If only Trent could make that fresh start happen.

Author: 
Lexile: 
700L
Lost in the Sun

Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls are Used in War

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 6

My name is Michel Chikwanine. the story you are about to read is true.

It's 1993, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is going through major political changes. Five-year-old Michel is playing with friends one day when, without warning, a group of rebel soldiers pulls up to the school grounds. Forced onto trucks, the frightened boys are taken to a camp in the hills. There they are thrust into a terrifying and violent world.

Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls are Used in War

Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Freedom and Equality

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 1

When Susan B. Anthony was young, white men had more rights than other people. Susan believed everyone should have equal rights. As an adult, she shared her ideas about equality. She gave many speeches. She started a newspaper. She worked to change laws. In doing so, Susan changed the lives of all Americans.

Author: 
Lexile: 
620L
Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Freedom and Equality

Clara Caterpillar

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 1

Clara is a cute cabbage Caterpillar. But to Catisha, who is catty and crimson, Clara is only a common caterpillar with no hope of becoming a colorful butterfly. Sure enough, Clara comes out cream colored. And during an encounter with a hungry crow, Clara proves that being colorful and conspicuous doesn't compare with being common, content, and courageous.

Lexile: 
AD660L
Clara Caterpillar

A Picture Book of Eleanor Roosevelt

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 1

Eleanor Roosevelt went from being a sad, shy child to becoming an adult who reached out to people everywhere. She married Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1904. She became America's first lady, while he served as president from 1932-1945. During the years of the Great Depression, she visited towns, cities, and farms all over the country and brought hope to millions of people. She made many speeches, had a radio program, and wrote a newspaper column.

Lexile: 
AD680L
A Picture Book of Eleanor Roosevelt

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Icon: 
Book icon
Copies: 1

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world free of hate, prejudice, and violence. "I have a dream," he said in one of his speeches. "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they won't be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Lexile: 
680L
A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pages