Book-A-Day Almanac
Discover the stories behind the children’s book classics and the new books on their way to becoming classics.
My Brother Sam is Dead
Elementary School, Historical Fiction, Middle SchoolOctober has been designated Reading Group Month by the Women’s National Book Association. All kinds of reading groups have become popular over the last couple of decades: teen book groups, mother and daughter groups, parents and children groups. An ideal pick for book groups and classroom discussions is our book of the day: My Brother […]
Award Winning, Family, History, Newbery, Revolutionary WarFeatured on October 27
Octavian Nothing
High School, Historical Fiction, Middle SchoolToday I’m looking at another audio book, like The Golden Compass created by Listening Library, for Audio Book Appreciation Month. M. T. Anderson’s The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: The Pox Party has had a profound effect on good seventh and eighth grade readers, although it may be most appreciated by high school students and […]
African American, History, Multicultural, Revolutionary War, ScienceFeatured on August 26
Paul Revere’s Ride
Elementary School, Picture Book, Poetry I must admit that today is truly one of my favorite holidays, if not my absolute favorite, of the year. Although I try to avoid being “Boston centric” in the Almanac, I have lived in or near the city for more than forty years. Writers often get told to write about what they know—and today […]
History, Revolutionary WarFeatured on April 18
Wendell Minor
Elementary School, Nonfiction, PreschoolToday illustrator Wendell Minor celebrates his birthday. Both Wendell and his wonderful wife Florence, one of the great teams in children’s books, happen to be good friends of mine. Normally, that would stop me from writing this post because it is hard for me to be objective. But I think Wendell has worked so hard […]
Animals, History, Nature, Penguins, Revolutionary War, Trains, TransportationFeatured on March 17
Independent Dames
Elementary School, Nonfiction, Picture Book March has been designated Women’s History month. Fortunately, in the last two decades we have been given scores of books that promote the role of women in history. For some great suggestions you can consult the Amelia Bloomer list compiled by the American Library Association. Today I’d like to focus on one of the exceptional […]
History, Revolutionary War, WomenFeatured on March 10
The Notorious Benedict Arnold
Biography, Elementary School, Middle SchoolIn February we celebrate American History Month. When I was a child, I was almost exclusively educated about American history through a series of books, with reddish-orange spines, that told stirring tales about our heroes and heroines. The series was Landmark Books, with titles such as Sterling North’s Abe Lincoln: Log Cabin to the White […]
Adventure, History, Revolutionary WarFeatured on February 25
Johnny Tremain
Classic, High School, Historical Fiction, Middle SchoolOn January 1, 1735, Paul Revere, patriot, silversmith, and engraver was baptized in Boston’s North End. Although made famous by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” our birthday boy’s story has attracted many fine writers over the years, including one of the descendants of Samuel Adams, the organizer of the Sons […]
Award Winning, History, Newbery, Revolutionary WarFeatured on January 1
Ben and Me
Biography, Elementary School, FantasyOn December 28, 1732, the first issue of Poor Richard’s Almanack was advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette. Published from 1733–1758, this brainchild of Benjamin Franklin has been imitated and copied many times. Franklin, like so many of the Founding Fathers, was a Renaissance man—inventor, printer, ambassador, and the delight of the French ladies. He has […]
Animals, History, Mice, Revolutionary WarFeatured on December 28
Judy Moody Declares Independence
Elementary School, Fiction, Series On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. The details of the event have always sounded a bit like a college prank to me. A bunch of rebels, dressed up in disguise with faces painted, descend on a small British ship and dump some boxes of tea overboard. Of what significance would such […]
Family, History, Revolutionary WarFeatured on December 16
Happy Hanukkah
Elementary School, Picture BookThe celebration of Hanukkah, which takes place this year from December 1–9, has generated a number of fine books for children. Today I’d like to look at two picture books that I particularly admire, one classic and one newer title. Trina Schart Hyman won a Caldecott Honor for her spirited artwork in Hershel and the […]
Award Winning, Caldecott, Hanukkah, History, Holidays, Revolutionary WarFeatured on December 6
Daily children’s book recommendations and events from Anita Silvey.
Discover the stories behind the children’s book classics . . .
The new books on their way to becoming classics . . .
And events from the world of children’s books—and the world at large.
