Children's Books
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Set in San Francisco between the years 1903 and 1910, this story gives a realistic picture of a young Chinese boy's life as he moves from China to join his father in California. Leaving behind his mother and grandmother, Moonshadow is frightened to come to the "Land of the Golden Mountain", but he wants to see the father that has been gone since before he was born. The land of the "demons", as the white people are called, is unfriendly toward Chinese people. The story weaves around historical references such as the Earthquake of 1906, Theodore Roosevelt, and early flight, even including a letter correspondence with the Wright Brothers. Moon Shadow works with his father, meets nice neighbors in an elderly woman and her niece, and eventually helps his father build and fly a biplane named Dragonwings. Full of many Chinese cultural references, this novel relates what life was probably like for Chinese during that period of time. Well written and full of love, respect, family traditions, and prejudice, Dragonwings won the Newbery Honor Award in 1976. Recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fiction, books about flying, or multicultural issues. This is also great to listen to on tape. 
Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant is a unique collection of seventeen poems that children and adults are sure to enjoy. Prelutsy craftily pairs an animal with an inantimate object, creating such creatures as the ocelock and the shoehornets. The poems have a humor that both children and adults can appreciate. Also, Carin Berger imaginatively took the combination of animal and object to create beautiful illustrations for all to enjoy. I highly recommend this anthology for all ages and it can be found in the 811.54's. 
Author Russell Freedman begins Polo's biography with a disclaimer. "It is impossible to know how much of the 13th century explorer's accounts of his travels was rendered without exaggeration." Even on his deathbed when Polo's relatives begged for clarification, the adventurer stood by his reports. This latest version of his Description of the World is handsome indeed. On parchment-like pages, with carefully wrought illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline which accurately reflect the cultures being described and with two double page maps tracing the journeys, readers are led through rugged mountain passes, stormy seas, and seemingly endless deserts to the court of the great Mongol ruler, Kublai Kahn. After more than two decades, the travelers (Polo, his father and his uncle) return to Venice, where some time later the extraordinary tale recounting his travels as recorded by the writer, Rustichello, is copied and recopied by scribes. It was soon well-known (if not completely believed) throughout Italy and beyond. In detailed endnotes, Freedman presents arguments for and against believability which along with comments by the illustrator complete this outstanding biography for ages 9 - 12. 
A delightful mix of poetry, art and interesting facts about great cities of the United States is presented in this book. The author and her husband travel across the country on a motorcycle trip. Diane Siebert allows us to read her inspirations from this experience. The poetry enhances the beauty of famous sites found in these cities. The art is illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson and is a gallery of watercolor paintings you will enjoy while browsing this book. The interesting facts will intrigue the informational reader and make you want to read more. This book makes one take pride in this great nation of America and all the novel places that we can visit. The book could be a great family read for children in grades 1-5. 
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