From: Engelfried, Steven <engelfried_at_wilsonvillelibrary.org>
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:26:53 +0000

A couple of non-fiction books that stand out for me: “Moonbird” by Phi llip Hoose: The journey is about as long as you can get, as we follow the red knot known as B95 from Argentina to the Arctic and back. Fascinating i nformation about birds, ecosystems, migrations, and the ways that humans af fect it all.

Also: “Around the World” by Matt Phelan, who uses the graphic novel fo rmat to introduce the true adventures of three daring travelers in the late 19th century….a great example of history that can really engage readers.

And one excellent novel that I don’t think has been mentioned: “Jump i nto the Sky” by Shelley Pearsall, which follows an African American teen in 1945 from Chicago to North Carolina, then to Pendleton, OR as he tries t o catch up to his father. The story’s about the father and son and the “Triple Nickel” battalion, but you really get a sense for how different those locations were, and how challenging it was to move from one to the o ther.

I'll also second Kemie Nix's recommendation of "Taran Wanderer." He travel s the kingdom, but there's also the inner journey as he learns more about h imself with each new place and through his interactions with he people he m eets. Definitely one of the five best Prydain books.

And one more oldie (40 years old!) that I loved as a kid: "Henry Reed's Jo urney" by Keith Robertson. He travels by car across the country and tells us all about it in his journal. It really made me want to do a cross count ry road trip too, although I still haven't managed it....

Steven Engelfried, Youth Services Librarian Wilsonville Public Library 8200 SW Wilsonville Road Wilsonville, OR 97070 503-570-1592 engelfried_at_wilsonvillelibrary.org
Received on Mon 08 Jul 2013 05:26:53 PM CDT