To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles:
September, 2006 -- Northwest Historical Fiction
Learn about the history of the Northwest by reading great stories!
Baby in a Basket by Gloria Rand. In 1917, a long journey from Alaska to Seattle is interrupted when a sleigh accident in a blinding snowstorm begins a desperate search for the young daughters of the first Fairbanks kindergarten teacher. Grade K and up. Large print book (1/4" text) LP 15288.
The Golly Sisters Go West by Betsy Byars. May-May and Rose, the singing, dancing Golly sisters, travel west by covered wagon. The journey's difficulties and sibling spats occasionally interrupt their focus on providing entertainment. Grades K-3. Braille book BR 10157. Cassette book RC 40049.
Children of the Wind and Water by Stephen Krensky. Stories about childhood in five Native American tribes including the Tlinget of Alaska and the Nootka on Vancouver Island . Grades K-3. Large print book (1/4" text) LP 14023.
Meet Kaya, an American Girl by Janet Shaw. Kaya, a member of the Idaho Nez Perce tribe in 1764, learns that bragging can lead to trouble. This first book in the American Girl series about Kaya is followed by 5 more fiction titles and sixth book of historical facts. Grades 2-4. Cassette book RC 55342. Braille book BR 14539.
Spirit of the West by Jahnna N. Malcom. In 1911, Jessie is glad to leave her Nez Perce heritage behind when her family begins working on a large Oregon ranch. Later the value of those teachings becomes clear when she uses them to find a missing foal and protect it from a cougar. First book of six in the Treasured Horses Collection. Grades 2-4. Large print book (1/4" text) LP 15954.
Emily's Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary. Emily lives on a small farm in Oregon , in the 1920s. Her imaginative schemes often go haywire, but this time she and her mother are determined to bring a library to the nearby town of Pitchfork. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 9249. Cassette book RC 36639.
Artic Adventure by Dana Meachen Rau. While visiting the exhibit on native cultures at the National Museum of Natural History, Tomas travels back in time and becomes an Inuit boy living in the Arctic regions in the 1800s. Grades 3-6. Braille book BRW 840.
Bound for Oregon by Jane Van Leeuwen. A fictionalized account of nine-year-old Mary Ellen Todd and her family as they travel from Arkansas to Oregon in 1852. Grades 3-6. Braille book BRW 532. Cassette book RC 42170.
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory. In 1847, 13-year-old Hattie fills her diary with the story of her family's journey from Missouri to Oregon . An epilogue updates the lives of family members and fellow travelers through 1906. #31 in the Dear America Series. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 47406.
Eye of the Changer by Muriel Ringstad. Long ago Wahnu was a Salish boy living on Puget Sound exploring both the natural world around him and the spirit world of his culture. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book CBA 4381.
Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm. In the 1899 Finnish community in Southwestern Washington, Amelia strains against rules that forbid her to do many of the things that make the lives of seven brothers more exciting. The author based this novel on her great aunt's diary. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 50217.
Sarah and Me and the Lady from the Sea by Patricia Beatty. Marcella Abbot from Portland snubs the locals when her family vacations on the Olympic Pennisula every summer, but in1894 the failure of her father's business forces a change in attitude. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 33191.
Seaman: The Dog who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark by Gail Langer Karwoski. Meriwether Lewis' dog Seaman serves as a hunter, navigator, and protector on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Grades 4-7. Cassette book CBA 7117.
Spirit Quest by Susan Sharpe. Vacationing on a reservation off the coast of Washington, 11-year-old Aaron becomes friends with Robert who is a member of the Quileute tribe and preparing for his spirit quest. Grades 4-7. Cassette book CBA 6746. Braille book BRW 395.
Thunder Rolling in the Mountains by Scott O'Dell and completed by Elizabeth Hall after his death. The fictionalized story of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe as told by his 14-year-old daughter. Grades 4-7. Braille book BRW 458. Cassette book RC 38901.
Dogstar by Beverley Wood. A cruise to Alaska is supposed to take 13-year-old Jeff's mind off the recent death of his dog. A statue of a similar dog in the Juneau harbor sparks a journey back in time to 1933. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 49150.
The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Journey of Lewis and Clark by Kathryn Lasky. Gus is only 14, but his good handwriting and knowledge of Native American languages make him useful on the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1805. #11 in the My Name is America series. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 56552.
The Storyteller's Daughter by Jean Thesman. The Depression makes jobs scarce in Seattle, and Quinn's beloved dad is now working in northern Washington and only rarely able to come home. He's known for his storytelling ability, but overheard conversations about more secret activities makes her fear for his safety. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 47054.
Young Mac of Fort Vancouver by Mary Jane Carr. This story of the adventures of a young man living in an early Washington settlement was nominated for the Newbery Award in 1941. Grades 5-9. Braille book BRW 235.
Fire on the Wind by Linda Crew. In 1933, the Oregon logging camps are threatened by fire and work shutdowns while Storie's life is thrown into confusion because her mother and father want very different things for her future. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 11449.
The Ornament Tree by Jean Thesman. After her parents die in 1918, Bonnie goes to live with her mother's relatives in Seattle . They are welcoming even though hard times have already forced them to make their home a boarding house. A tree that supposedly has the power to grant wishes helps Bonnie adjust to her new life. This book's sequel is The Tree of Bells. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 11448.
Runaway Voyage by Betty Cavanna. In 1866, one hundred girls sail from New York to Seattle hoping to find husbands or at least jobs. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 14606.
Sacajawea: The Story of Bird Woman and the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Joseph Bruchac. Young Shoshone Sacajawea escapes captivity under the Mandan tribe by marrying a French trapper who soon joins the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Told as if she and Captain Clark are later recounting the journey to her young son, this novel includes Native American points of view and details not found in other books. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 51170.
Washington Avalanche, 1910 by Cameron Dokey. Virginia and Ginny meet on a train bound to Seattle and decide to trade identities so that Virginia can feel more secure while she checks out the man she is supposed to marry. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 51825.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.