Special Collections
District List: NYC Summer in the City Reading List
Description: A list of books from New York City's summer reading for #kids
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How You Got So Smart
by David MilgrimEvery stage in growing up has its own fun and challenges, and the adorable star of this book faces each one with gusto. As a baby, there's the taste-everything phase--whether it is meant to be eaten or not! And as a toddler, there's the question-everything phase. But all the while baby is growing up and becoming a curious kid whose exploration of the world leads to amazing places and discoveries. He's come so far and learned so much, and now everyone is so proud of him! This celebration of curiosity and creativity, with its funny, joyful illustrations full of kid-friendly details, is a great gift for any major milestone.
If the World Were a Village
by David J. Smith.This is the new paperback edition of a beautiful and unique book, which explains facts about the world's population in a simple and fascinating way. Instead of unimaginable billions, it presents the whole world as a village of just 100 people. We soon find out that 22 speak a Chinese dialect and that 17 cannot read or write. We also discover the people's religions, their education, their standard of living, and much much more...This book provokes thought and elicits questions. It cannot fail to inspire children's interest in world geography, citizenship and different customs and cultures, whether they read it at home or at school.
Ron's Big Mission
by Don Tate and Rose Blue and Corrine J NadenNine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself.
But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron's obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage; it is a young man's first courageous mission.
Here is an inspiring story, based on Ron McNair's life, of how a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut desegregated his library through peaceful resistance.
Crow Call
by Lois LowryThe story of young Liz and her father, who has been away at WWII for longer than she can remember. They begin their journey of reconnection through a hunting shirt, cherry pie, tender conversation, and the crow call. This allegorical story shows how, like the birds gathering above, the relationship between the girl and her father is graced with the chance to fly.
Hope For Winter
by Isabella Hatkoff and Juliana Hatkoff and Craig Hatkoff and David YatesThe true story of a baby dolphin named Hope who was rescued against all odds. Exactly 5 years and 1 day after Winter, the tailless dolphin who inspired a major motion picture featuring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Conick Jr. , was rescued, something pretty amazing happened. Just feet from where Winter was found, appeared another injured dolphin, orphaned from her mother and struggling to survive. The Clearwater Marine team quickly went to work, attempting to nurse this new dolphin back to health. After a tough fight fought by the little dolphin and by the Clearwater team, the dolphin grew strong and healthy. She now lives with Winter and crowds flock to the aquarium to see them play. Her tale is one of courage and triumph. She was named Hope and this book tells her story.
Clever Trevor
by Sarah AlbeeTrevor outsmarts a group of schoolyard bullies by using some very handy science knowledge.
Roadrunner's Dance
by Rudolfo AnayaIn this original Southwestern folk tale, Desert Woman creates an odd bird who can defeat the menacing Rattlesnake.
No Dogs Allowed!
by Sonia ManzanoIris, her huge family and her dog, El Exigente, are all excited to go to the lake... but will they EVER get there?
Long Shot
by Chris PaulNBA star Chris Paul tells of being one of the shortest 8-year-olds trying out for the team, and how he didn't let that adversity stop him.
Tito Puente
by Monica Brown and Rafael LopezMeet Tito Puente--the King of Mambo. Tum Tica! From musical prodigy on the streets of Harlem to five-time Grammy Award winner, Tito's life was full of rhythm. Drums and claves, saxophones and tambourines were all part of the fun. Tac Tic! Monica Brown and Rafael López, the award-winning creators of the Pura Belpré Honor Book "My Name is Celia/Me Llamo Celia," team up once again for another spectacular collaboration in this upbeat tribute to a musical legend. Tum Tic! Tom Tom! Conoce a Tito Puente, el Rey del Mambo. ¡Tum Tica! De prodigio musical en las calles de Harlem a ganador de cinco premios Grammy, la vida de Tito fue muy rítmica. Tambores y claves, saxófonos y panderetas siempre formaron parte de la diversión. ¡Tac Tic! Monica Brown y Rafael López, los creadores del libro "My Name is Celia/Me Llamo Celia," el cual fue galardonado con el Honor Pura Belpré, se reúnen una vez más para crear otra colaboración espectacular en este alegre homenaje a una leyenda musical. ¡Tum Tic! ¡Tom Tom!
Ruby's Wish
by Sophie Blackall and Shirin YimRuby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author's grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby's Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work and courage.
The Mud Pony
by Caron Lee CohenThe Mud Pony is one of a number of ancient boy-hero stories told among the Skidi band of the Pawnee Indians of the American Plains.
The Three Questions
by Jon J. MuthWhen Jon Muth read Tolstoy's story by the same title, he wanted to find a way to introduce children to "The Three Questions." In thi beautiful book for young readers, Muth brings together children, animals, a forest, and a wild storm to help Nicolai answer his questions. This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Chicken Sunday
by Patricia PolaccoStewart and Winston were my neighbors. They were my brothers by a solemn ceremony we had performed in their backyard one summer....Their gramma, Eula Mae Walker, was my gramma now.
More than anything in the world, the children want to buy that special Easter bonnet in Mr. Kodinski's shop window for their Miss Eula. She is always so good to them, and how they love to hear her sing - her voice is like slow thunder and sweet rain. But the hat costs money, and the children do not have enough.
Then one day, when they are mistakenly accused of throwing eggs at the shop owner's window, they discover just the right way to prove their innocence - and earn money for the hat at the same time.
With her characteristic full, vibrant colors and rich, folk-art style, author-artist Patricia Polacco once again reaches into her childhood and weaves a lasting story of acceptance, trust, and love.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
by John SteptoeThe king is going to marry. Mufaro has two very beautiful daughters. One is kind and considerate, the other selfish and spoiled. Which daughter will be chosen "The Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughter in the Land"? Which daughter will the king choose to be his wife?
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Medal
My Brother Charlie
by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth PeeteCallie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He's good at so many things--swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett.
But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet.
His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away. Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun. Charlie is like any other boy--and he has autism.
In this story, told from a sister's point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.
Two Bobbies
by Kirby Larson and Mary NetheryBobbi and Bob Cat are the best of friends. When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, many lost everything. But not Bobbi and Bob Cat--they still had each other. Only by staying together could they survive. This is the story of their remarkable friendship.
When The Beat Was Born
by Theodore Taylor and Laban Carrick HillBefore there was hip hop, there was DJ Kool Herc. On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party at a park in the South Bronx.
Her brother, Clive Campbell, spun the records. He had a new way of playing the music to make the breaks--the musical interludes between verses--longer for dancing. He called himself DJ Kool Herc and this is When the Beat Was Born.
From his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, Laban Carrick Hill's book tells how Kool Herc came to be a DJ, how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a culture and transform the world.
A John Steptoe New Talent Award Winner
2017 Texas Bluebonnet Award
Just Write
by Walter Dean MyersAfter writing more than one hundred books, it still amazes me that I have been lucky enough to spend most of my life doing what I truly love: writing. What makes a writer? The desire to tell a story, a love of language, an eye for detail, practice, practice, practice. How well should you know your characters? Do you need to outline before you write? How important is length? Now Walter Dean Myers, the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, walks you through the writing process. Includes: Examples from his writing and reading experiences Walter's six-box and four-box outlines for writing fiction and nonfiction Excerpted pages from Walter's own notebooks An afterword by Ross Workman, Walter's teen coauthor of kick Writing tips from both Walter and Ross Anyone can be a writer, with a little help from Walter Dean Myers!
I Am Malala
by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormickI Am Malala. This is my story. Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren't allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn't go to school.Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school.No one expected her to survive.Now Malala is an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. In this Young Readers Edition of her bestselling memoir, which includes exclusive photos and material, we hear firsthand the remarkable story of a girl who knew from a young age that she wanted to change the world -- and did. Malala's powerful story will open your eyes to another world and will make you believe in hope, truth, miracles and the possibility that one person -- one young person -- can inspire change in her community and beyond. With contributions by Patricia McCormick,