Non-Fiction Books and their Fiction Partners
Non-Fiction Feature...
Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson (921 BOOTH)
Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER is a fast-paced thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.
Perfect Fiction Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Second Sight by Gary Blackwood (FIC BLA)
In Washington, D.C., during the last days of the Civil War, a teenage boy who performs in a mind reading act befriends a clairvoyant girl whose frightening visions foreshadow an assassination plot.
My Life With the Lincolns by Gayle Brandeis (FIC BRA)
In 1966 Illinois, twelve-year-old Wilhelmina, convinced that she, her parents, and sisters are Abraham Lincoln's family reincarnated, determines to keep them from suffering the same fates, which is complicated when she and her father become involved in the Civil Rights Movement.
After the Rain: Virginia's Civil War Diary by Mary Pope Osborne (FIC OSB)
In her diary, a ten-year-old girl writes about her family experiences living in Washington, D.C., in 1864-5.
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Second Sight by Gary Blackwood (FIC BLA)
In Washington, D.C., during the last days of the Civil War, a teenage boy who performs in a mind reading act befriends a clairvoyant girl whose frightening visions foreshadow an assassination plot.
My Life With the Lincolns by Gayle Brandeis (FIC BRA)
In 1966 Illinois, twelve-year-old Wilhelmina, convinced that she, her parents, and sisters are Abraham Lincoln's family reincarnated, determines to keep them from suffering the same fates, which is complicated when she and her father become involved in the Civil Rights Movement.
After the Rain: Virginia's Civil War Diary by Mary Pope Osborne (FIC OSB)
In her diary, a ten-year-old girl writes about her family experiences living in Washington, D.C., in 1864-5.
Non-Fiction Features...
Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice by Phillip M. Hoose (921 Colvin)
Presents an account of fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin, an African-American girl who refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks, and covers her role in a crucial civil rights case.
Presents an account of fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin, an African-American girl who refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks, and covers her role in a crucial civil rights case.
We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson (323.1196 LEV)
Tells the little-known story of 4,000 black elementary-, middle-, and high-school students who voluntarily went to jail in Birmingham, Alabama, between May 2 and May 11, 1963, through extensive interviews with four of the original participants.
Tells the little-known story of 4,000 black elementary-, middle-, and high-school students who voluntarily went to jail in Birmingham, Alabama, between May 2 and May 11, 1963, through extensive interviews with four of the original participants.
Perfect Fiction Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg (FIC BUR)
As the civil rights movement in the South gains momentum in 1963 and violence against African-Americans intensifies, residents of the small town of Kuckachoo, Mississippi, including seventh-grader Addie Ann Pickett, begin their own courageous struggle for racial justice.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (FIC CUR)
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.
New Boy by Julian Houston (FIC HOU)
As a new sophomore at an exclusive boarding school in the 1950s, Rob Garrett, a young black man, is witness to the persecution of other students and wonders about the growing civil rights movement back home in Virginia.
The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon (FIC MAG)
In 1968 Chicago, fourteen-year-old Sam Childs is caught in a conflict between his father's nonviolent approach to seeking civil rights for African-Americans and his older brother, who has joined the Black Panther Party.
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg (FIC BUR)
As the civil rights movement in the South gains momentum in 1963 and violence against African-Americans intensifies, residents of the small town of Kuckachoo, Mississippi, including seventh-grader Addie Ann Pickett, begin their own courageous struggle for racial justice.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (FIC CUR)
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.
New Boy by Julian Houston (FIC HOU)
As a new sophomore at an exclusive boarding school in the 1950s, Rob Garrett, a young black man, is witness to the persecution of other students and wonders about the growing civil rights movement back home in Virginia.
The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon (FIC MAG)
In 1968 Chicago, fourteen-year-old Sam Childs is caught in a conflict between his father's nonviolent approach to seeking civil rights for African-Americans and his older brother, who has joined the Black Panther Party.
Non-Fiction Feature...
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy (614.5 MUR)
793, Philadelphia. The nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown . . .
In a powerful, dramatic narrative, critically acclaimed author Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city's residents, relating the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices.
793, Philadelphia. The nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown . . .
In a powerful, dramatic narrative, critically acclaimed author Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city's residents, relating the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices.
Perfect Fiction Pairing...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Fever 1792 by Laurie Halse Anderson (FIC AND)
Sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793.
Sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793.
Non-Fiction Feature...
Woodsong by Gary Paulsen (796.5 PAU)
For a rugged outdoor man and his family, life in northern Minnesota is a wild experience involving wolves, deer, and the sled dogs that make their way of life possible. Includes an account of the author's first Iditarod, a dogsled race across Alaska.
For a rugged outdoor man and his family, life in northern Minnesota is a wild experience involving wolves, deer, and the sled dogs that make their way of life possible. Includes an account of the author's first Iditarod, a dogsled race across Alaska.
Perfect Fiction Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Wilderness by Roddy Doyle (FIC DOY)
As Irish teenager Gráinne anxiously prepares for a reunion with her mother, who abandoned the family years before, Gráinne's half-brothers and their mother take a dogsledding vacation in Finland.
Diamond Willow by Helen Frost (FIC FRO)
In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, wishing she were more popular, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of dead ancestors and friends who care for her.
As Irish teenager Gráinne anxiously prepares for a reunion with her mother, who abandoned the family years before, Gráinne's half-brothers and their mother take a dogsledding vacation in Finland.
Diamond Willow by Helen Frost (FIC FRO)
In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, wishing she were more popular, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of dead ancestors and friends who care for her.
Non-Fiction Feature...
Witches!: the Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem (133.4 SCH)
The riveting, true story of the victims, accused witches, crooked officials, and mass hysteria that turned a mysterious illness affecting two children into a witch hunt that took over a dozen people’s lives and ruined hundreds more unfolds in chilling detail.
The riveting, true story of the victims, accused witches, crooked officials, and mass hysteria that turned a mysterious illness affecting two children into a witch hunt that took over a dozen people’s lives and ruined hundreds more unfolds in chilling detail.
Perfect Fiction Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
I Walk in Dread: the Diary of Deliverance Trembly, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials by Lisa Rowe Fraustino (FIC FRA)
Deliverance writes about the 1692 witch hunt and trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts.
Salem Witch by Particia Hermes by (FIC HER)
Contains two stories in which George Corwin and Elizabeth Putnam, young friends living during the Salem witch trials, share their individual perspectives on the events.
Spirit by Jason Hightman (FIC HIG)
A story about ghosts and witchcraft as ghosthunters Tess and Tobias board a train for Blackthorne, near Salem.
Time of the Witches by Anna Myers (FIC MYE)
Orphaned Drucilla finds a home with the beautiful but troubled Mistress Putnam as accusations of witchcraft start to swirl in Salem Village.
Deliverance writes about the 1692 witch hunt and trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts.
Salem Witch by Particia Hermes by (FIC HER)
Contains two stories in which George Corwin and Elizabeth Putnam, young friends living during the Salem witch trials, share their individual perspectives on the events.
Spirit by Jason Hightman (FIC HIG)
A story about ghosts and witchcraft as ghosthunters Tess and Tobias board a train for Blackthorne, near Salem.
Time of the Witches by Anna Myers (FIC MYE)
Orphaned Drucilla finds a home with the beautiful but troubled Mistress Putnam as accusations of witchcraft start to swirl in Salem Village.
Non-Fiction Feature...
Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
by Steve Sheinkin (623.4 SHE)
This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.
by Steve Sheinkin (623.4 SHE)
This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.
Perfect Fiction and Biography Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr (921 SADAKO)
After several dizzy spells send Hiroshima-born Sadako to the doctor, the budding school track star finds out she has leukemia--known as the "atom bomb disease." But she faces life with spirit and bravery. And a legend says that if she folds 1,000 paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish to be healthy again.
The Gadget by Paul Zindel (FIC ZIN)
In 1945, having joined his father at Los Alamos, where he and other scientists are working on a secret project to end World War II, thirteen-year-old Stephen becomes caught in a web of secrecy and intrigue.
After several dizzy spells send Hiroshima-born Sadako to the doctor, the budding school track star finds out she has leukemia--known as the "atom bomb disease." But she faces life with spirit and bravery. And a legend says that if she folds 1,000 paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish to be healthy again.
The Gadget by Paul Zindel (FIC ZIN)
In 1945, having joined his father at Los Alamos, where he and other scientists are working on a secret project to end World War II, thirteen-year-old Stephen becomes caught in a web of secrecy and intrigue.
Non-Fiction Feature...
Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles - America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone
They became America’s first black paratroopers. Why was their story never told?
They became America’s first black paratroopers. Why was their story never told?
Perfect Fiction Pairing...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall (FIC PEA)
In 1945, thirteen-year-old Levi is sent to find the father he has not seen in three years, going from Chicago, to segregated North Carolina, and finally to Pendleton, Oregon,where he learns that his father's unit, the all-Black 555th paratrooper battalion, will never see combat but finally has a mission. Includes historical notes.
In 1945, thirteen-year-old Levi is sent to find the father he has not seen in three years, going from Chicago, to segregated North Carolina, and finally to Pendleton, Oregon,where he learns that his father's unit, the all-Black 555th paratrooper battalion, will never see combat but finally has a mission. Includes historical notes.
Non-Fiction Feature...
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
A photo-illustrated look at the youth organizations Adolf Hitler founded and used to meet his sociopolitical and military ends; includes profiles of individual Hitler Youth members as well as young people who opposed the Nazis, such as Hans and Sophie Scholl.
A photo-illustrated look at the youth organizations Adolf Hitler founded and used to meet his sociopolitical and military ends; includes profiles of individual Hitler Youth members as well as young people who opposed the Nazis, such as Hans and Sophie Scholl.
Perfect Fiction and Biography Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayer (920 AYE)
The riveting story of a young German Jew and a member of the Hitler Youth and their experiences during the period prior to and including World War II.
The Auslander by Paul Dowswell (FIC DOW)
Peter, an orphan in Warsaw, is adopted by German professor Kaltenbach and his wife who believe the boy to be a fine specimen of Hitler Youth, but Peter begins to develop his own ideas in opposition to the Nazis, which is not a popular position in Berlin in 1943.
The riveting story of a young German Jew and a member of the Hitler Youth and their experiences during the period prior to and including World War II.
The Auslander by Paul Dowswell (FIC DOW)
Peter, an orphan in Warsaw, is adopted by German professor Kaltenbach and his wife who believe the boy to be a fine specimen of Hitler Youth, but Peter begins to develop his own ideas in opposition to the Nazis, which is not a popular position in Berlin in 1943.
Non-Fiction Feature...
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City burst into flames. The factory was crowded. The doors were locked to ensure workers stay inside. One hundred forty-six people—mostly women—perished; it was one of the most lethal workplace fires in American history until September 11, 2001.
Perfect Fiction Pairings...
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
(click the links to see the books in the OPAC)
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix (FIC HAD)
In 1927, at the urging of twenty-one-year-old Harriet, Mrs. Livingston reluctantly recalls her experiences at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, including miserable working conditions that led to a strike, then the fire that took the lives of her two best friends, when Harriet, the boss's daughter, was only five years old. Includes historical notes.
Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch (FIC AUC)
Sixteen-year-old Rose Nolan arrives on Ellis Island in 1911 in the hopes of starting a new life, but after most of her family is sent back to Ireland, she must find her own way in a new country and fend for herself and her younger sister.
In 1927, at the urging of twenty-one-year-old Harriet, Mrs. Livingston reluctantly recalls her experiences at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, including miserable working conditions that led to a strike, then the fire that took the lives of her two best friends, when Harriet, the boss's daughter, was only five years old. Includes historical notes.
Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch (FIC AUC)
Sixteen-year-old Rose Nolan arrives on Ellis Island in 1911 in the hopes of starting a new life, but after most of her family is sent back to Ireland, she must find her own way in a new country and fend for herself and her younger sister.