Books for children - March 17

BOOKS TO BORROW

"Joseph: 1861 - A Rumble of War" by Bonnie Pryor, illustrated by Bert Dodson; Morrow Junior Books, 170 pages

Read aloud: ages 8 and older

Read yourself: age 9 and older

With the nation on the verge of Civil War, Joseph Byers and his hometown in Kentucky seem caught in the middle of the conflict. Most people in his town favor the South, but Joseph's stepfather is against slavery, and that causes problems for the whole family.

Joseph's father had owned slaves, and he was raised to believe slavery was right. The war makes Joseph begin to question his views, and he wonders if his stepfather is right. As the events unfold that force the nation to its knees, Joseph finds that he, too, must decide what he truly believes.

A genuine page-turner, this fast-paced historical novel is rich with important life lessons.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library Director: Lois Hiller

Choices this week: "Officer Buckle and Gloria" by Peggy Rathmann; "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant; "The Canning Season" by Polly Horvath

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"My Heart Will Not Sit Down" by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Ann Tanksley, Alfred A. Knopf, 2012, 36 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

Young Kedi lives in a small village in Cameroon, Africa. One day at school, Kedi's teacher tells his students of bad news in America: the Great Depression is getting worse and many people, including children, have nothing to eat.

The news troubles Kedi. Life in her own village is hard, and she knows what it it's like to be hungry, but the thought of having no food at all is overwhelming. Yet Kedi's heart will not sit down until she finds a way to help.

Inspired by a true event, this story demonstrates the generosity of people toward others.

"Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story" by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia, Putnam, 2013, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: 5 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

Like many fathers, Mickey's dad left home to fight far over the Atlantic during World War I. Mickey had wanted to go with him, but since that wasn't possible, he wanted to do something to help his dad and the other soldiers. When Mickey's teacher suggests that her students enter the Central Park Knitting Bee to benefit the soldiers, Mickey and the boys scoff at the idea; boys don't knit! But when the girls dare them to enter, the competition is on.

"Knit Your Bit" is a heartfelt story based on a real event that took place in Central Park in 1918.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com