2005-2006 Selections

FMC - First Mennonite Church Shalom Reader's Collection

LCL - Available to borrow at Lincoln City Libraries  

CBD - Available for purchase at ChristianBook.com 

AMZ - Available for purchase at Amazon.com  

Jake Drake, Bully Buster - FMC - LCL - AMZ
by Andrew Clements; illustrated by Amanda Harvey. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2001. Jake faces the challenge of cooperating with the school bully on a class project.

Peaceful protest: the life of Nelson Mandela - FMC - LCL - AMZ
by Yona Zeldis McDonough; illustrations by Malcah Zeldis. Walker, 2002. A biography of the black South African leader who became a civil rights activist, political prisoner, and president of South Africa.

Remember: the journey to school integration - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Toni Morrison. Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Photographs from the 1950s bring to life the experiences and emotions of the African-American students who were at the center of school integration. The author imagines the thoughts and feelings of some of the people in the pictures to help us understand this time in history.

An Angel for Salomon Singer - LCL - AMZ
by Cynthia Rylant. Orchard Books, 1992. A sensitive treatment of loneliness

Baseball Saved Us - LCL - AMZ
by Ken Mochizuki. Lee & Low Books, NY 1993. A Japanese-American boy in an internment camp during WW II learns to funnel his anger into a baseball game.

The Bracelet - LCL - AMZ
by Yoshiko Uchida. Philomel Books, NY, 1976. A Japanese-American girl remembers her friends as she leaves home to live in an internment camp during WW II.

The Bully of Barkham Street - AMZ
by Mary Stolz. Harper and Row, 1963. School bully, Martin, struggles with his reputation - wanting to change but not knowing how.

The Butterfly - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Patricia Polacco: Philomel, 2000. During the Nazi occupation of France, a French girl discovers that a young Jewish girl has been hiding in her cellar.

Cecil's Story - LCL - AMZ
by George Ella Lyon. Orchard Books, NY, 1991. A young farm boy faces his fears as his father goes to fight in the Civil War.

Chicken Sunday - LCL - AMZ
by Patricia Polacco. Philomel Books, 1992. A Jewish girl and 2 Afro-American friends win over a shopkeeper and get a sunbonnet for the boy's grandmother.

Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate - LCL - AMZ
by Janice Cohn. Albert Whitman & Co, 1995. Two families - one Jewish, one Christian - and a community resolve to stand together against hate filled actions in their community. The story is based on real events in Billings, Montana in 1993.

Coals of Fire - CBD - AMZ
by Elizabeth Hershberger Bauman. Herald Press, 1954. Seventeen stories from various geographic locations and faiths in which people overcome evil with good.

Dad, Why'd You Leave Me? - FMC - CBD - AMZ
by Dorothy Frost. Herald Press, 1992. When Ronnie's father dies, he is confused and lonely, and he slowly learns to cope.

Fire on the Mountain - LCL - AMZ
by Jane Kurtz. Simon & Schuster, 1994. A clever young shepherd boy uses his wits to gain a fortune for himself and his sister from a boastful rich man.

Freedom Train - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Dorothy Sterling. Scholastic, 1970. A biography of Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery then led others along the same underground railroad.

Gleam and Glow - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Eve Bunting. Harcourt Press, 2001. When Viktor's family has to flee their home he puts his pet goldfish in their backyard pond hoping they will somehow survive until he can return to dare for them.

Goin' Someplace Special - LCL - AMZ
by Patricia McKissack: Atheneum 2001. A young girl visits a ``special place'' where all are welcome, regardless of their skin color.

The Great Shalom - AMZ
by Peter J. Dyck. Herald Press, 1990. Another one of Peter's delightful stories shared for young lives growing in the Christian faith.

The Hundred Dresses - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Eleanor Estes. Harcourt Brace, 1994. A story about friendships and hurtful teasing.

If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World's People - LCL - AMZ
by David J. Smith. Kids Can Press, 2002. Imagine the world as a village of just 100 people. This book tells us who we are, where we live, what languages we speak, what religions we practice.

I'm Sorry Almira Ann - LCL - AMZ
by Jane Kurtz. Henry Holt & Co., 1999. 8 -year old Sarah's lively spirit help make her family's long journey from Missouri to Oregon by covered wagon more bearable. But her impulsiveness also causes major trouble for her best friend. Sara finds a way to make it up to her.

The Jacket - LCL - AMZ
by Andrew Clements: Simon and Schuster, 2002. Sixth-grader Phil comes to an awareness of his own racial prejudice after he sees Daniel, an African-American boy, wearing his brother's one-of-a-kind jacket and leaps to the conclusion that Daniel has stolen the coat.

Just A Dream - LCL - CBD - AMZ
by Chris Van Allsburg. Houghton Mifflin, 1990. A young boy dreams about a future earth devastated by pollution and then understands the importance of caring for the earth now.

The Land I Lost; Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam - LCL - AMZ
Huynh Quang Nhuong. Harper Collins, 1982. The true story of a Vietnamese boy describes the tragedy caused by conflict.

Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the Negro Baseball League - AMZ
by Lawrence S. Ritter. Morrow Jr. Books, 1995. A story of the players in the league and the racism they faced.

A Leap of Faith, True Stories for Young and Old - LCL - AMZ
by Peter J. Dyck. Herald Press, 1990. A collection of true stories that are written to inform, motivate and educate.

The Lotus Seed - LCL - AMZ
by Sherry Garland. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1993. A grandmother recalls life in Vietnam and passes along her family's rich heritage to her grandchildren in America.

Martha Berry: A Woman of Courageous Spirit & Bold Dreams
by Joyce Blackburn. Peachtree, 1992. A farsighted pioneer in education who started a school in a tiny log cabin for underprivileged children in the
mountains of Georgia.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
by Dorreen Rappaport. Jump Sun, 2001. Provides information about King and his crusade for civil rights, as well as a powerful sample of his own words.

Martin Luther King: the Peaceful Warrior
by Ed Clayton. Prentice Hall, 1967. The story of the life and ideas of this famous civil rights worker.

Mayfield Crossing
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Putnam Publishing, 1993. This is a story about baseball and school and friendships and overcoming racial differences.

Molly's Pilgrim
by Barbara Cohen. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1983. Molly brings her Pilgrim doll to school and the whole 3rd grade learns that it takes all kinds of Pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving.

Mother Teresa, Sister to the Poor
by Patricia Reilly Giff. Puffin Books, 1986. A profile of the saint of Calcutta who cared for the starving and homeless whom others had abandoned.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
by John Steptoe. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1987. One sister is rewarded for her kindness to the people and animals she meets on her journey.

Nathan's Secret
by N. Geraldine Plunkett. Brethren Press, 2000. Nathan's father's commitment to God does not allow him to fight in the Civil War. Although he is in hiding from conscriptors, he risks his life to save a wounded soldier.

Navajo Long Walk
by Nancy M. Armstrong. Scholastic, 1994. A young Navajo boy, Kee, must travel 300 miles with his family by order of the US cavalry. He makes friends with the Captains son, but still hopes they will be able to return to their beloved land and way of life.

One Grain of Rice
by Demi. Scholastic, 1997. A mathematical tale that has a young peasant girl reminding the Ruler of the benefits of caring for and feeding the people around him.

Peace Be With You
by Cornelia Lehn. Faith and Life Press, 1980. But what of peace heroes? This book is filled with stories of heroes from biblical to present day warriors who have lived the Christian way of peace.

Peace Tales: World Folklore to Talk About
by Margaret Read McDonald. Linnet Books, 1992. Stories of peace from around the world.

A Penny & Two Fried Eggs
by Geraldine Gross Harder. Herald Press, 1991. Exciting stories about Christopher Dock, Christian Krehbeil and others. They had dreams to become leaders in early America.

People
by Peter Spier. Double Day, 1980. Delightful illustrations with words celebrating the many differences of people around the world.

A Picture Book of Anne Frank
by David A. Adler. Holiday House, 1994. An introduction to Anne Frank's life story in pictures and an outline of events in her life.

Pink and Say
by Patricia Polacco. Philomel Books, 1994. Two young boys, one black one white, desert the army during the Civil War. Only one lives to tell of their friendship and dangerous journey.

Pink Paper Swans
by Virginia Kroll. William B. Erdman's Publishing Co., 1994. A young girl learns Japanese paper folding from a woman whose arthritic hands prevent her from doing the work.

The Poppy Seeds
by Clyde Robert Bulla. Puffin Books, 1994. A young boy plants flowers which softens the heart of a grouchy old man who has the village's only spring water in his back yard.

The Pushcart War
by Jean Merrill. Dell, 1987. A light hearted but perceptive satire on war; Pushcarts and giant trucks engage in the streets of New York.

The Queen's Smuggler
by Dave and Neta Jackson, Bethany House, 1991. A thrilling adventure story involving William Tyndale, a Christian hero of the past.

A Quiet Strength
by Amelia Mueller. Faith and Life Press, 1992. The true story of Susanna Ruth Krehbiel, a strong and brave woman.

The Quiltmaker's Gift
by Jeff Brumbeau. Pfeifer-Hamilton, 2000. A generous quiltmaker gives only to the poor so how will the greedy king get one of her quilts? Through a change of heart, of course!

Race for Land
by Esther Lowen Vogt. Herald Press, 1992.  Arriving from Russia, a Mennonite family participates in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
by Eleanor Coerr. Putnam, 1977. Sadako is a Japanese heroine who died at age 12 from Leukemia as a result of radioactivity when an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

Sara, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan, Harper Collins, 1985. Sara answers an ad in the newspaper and moves from Maine to a prairie home. Happiness comes with hope and a loving family.

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt
by Barbara Smucker. Crown Publishers, 1996. Selina's family's Mennonite religion forbids them to go to war so they must leave their home in Pennsylvania and flee to Canada.

Shalom At Last
by Peter J. Dyck. Herald Press, 1992. Sequel to Great Shalom in which the forest animals make a real peace with Mr. Farmer and a happy ending results.

Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Dell, 1992. A heartwarming story about a lost beagle and his search for a good home.

Shiloh Season
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Simon and Schuster, 1996. A sequel to Shiloh . The boy uses Shiloh, his dog, to begin a friendship with Jeb who had mistreated Shiloh.

Saving Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Simon and Schuster, 1999. The last in the trilogy. The boy and Shiloh help Jeb through compassionate caring and receive help from Jeb in return.

Smoky Night
by Eve Bunting. Harcourt Brace, 1994. When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the value of getting along with others no matter what their nationality.

Spy for the Night Rider
by David and Neta Jackson. Bethany House Publisher, 1992. A biography of Martin Luther written through the eyes of a young person.

Storytime Jamboree
by Peter J. Dyck. Herald Press, 1994. Bible stories of peace, fairness and living out faith portrayed by animals.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
by Deborah Hopkinson. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1993. A young slave girl stitches a quilt with a map pattern which guides her to freedom in the north.

The Table Where Rich People Sit
by Byrd Baylor. Macmillan Publ., 1994. Mountain Girl's parents help her understand that although they do not have lots of money they are rich in the things that matter, like seeing sunsets everyday and hearing coyotes.

Talking Walls
by Margy Burns Knight. Tilbury House Publishers, 1992. An illustrated description of walls around the world and their significance. Includes information from the Great Wall of China to the Berlin Wall.

A Toad For Tuesday
by Russel Erickson. Beech Tree Books, 1974. An owl plans to keep a toad he caught for a special birthday meal, but then a wonderful thing happens.

Uncle Jed's Barbershop
by Marjorie King Mitchel. Simon & Schuster, 1993. Despite some serious obstacles and setbacks Sara Jean's Uncle Jed, the only black barber in the county, pursues his dream of opening his own barbershop.

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen
by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan. Morrow Junior Books, 1991. A boy spends a day with Uncle Willie at the soup kitchen where he works preparing food for the hungry.

Walking With Jesus - Stories About Real People Who Return Good For Evil
by Mary Clemens Meyer. Herald Press, 1992. A collection of twenty short stories.

The Wall
by Eve Bunting. Clarion Books, 1990. A boy and his father visit the Vietnam War Memorial to find the boy's grandfather's name.

The War: Reds and Blues
by Anais Vaugelade. Carolrhoda Boos, Inc, 2001. Prince Favian does not want to fight his fathers war so is sent into exile where he devises a clever plan to trick the Reds and Blues into stopping their war.

The White Feather
by Ruth Eitzen. Herald Press, 1995. Based on a true story experience near Cincinnati, Ohio, in the early 1800's, this is the story of a Quaker family who lived their peace convictions by treating the Indians as friends and equals.

The Yellow Star
by Carmen Agra. Peachtree Publishers, 2000. The story of how King Christian of Denmark led his people in civil disobedience by wearing the yellow star so that the occupying Nazi army could not tell who was a Jew and who was not.

 

Selections and notes courtesy of Central Plains Mennonite Conference Shalom Readers Club .