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10 to Try: West Virginia Day

by Book Reviews and RecommendationsBooksParents and FamiliesReadingResourcesUncategorizedVolunteer Readers

West Virginia Day celebrates the anniversary of West Virginia joining the Union and becoming its own state, separate from Virginia, in 1863. In celebration of our state’s founding, we collected a list of children’s books featuring the mountain state and its many stellar authors. We enjoyed putting these together so much that this 10 to Try actually features twelve great books because we just couldn’t narrow it down to ten. Enjoy!

When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant (Grades K to 3)

An evocative and eloquent tribute to growing up in rural Appalachia.

— Suzanne Wood, Fayette County

From Miss Ida’s Porch by Sandra Belton (Grades 3 and up)

A Raleigh County native, Sandra Belton paints a picture familiar to West Virginians, the very best time of day, evenings on the porch. In her warm, conversational way, she lets readers sit alongside the kids in the story to hear their old-timers talk about life before the Civil Rights movement, and after.  

More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby (Grades 1 to 5)

This is the story of Booker T. Washington who would write “Up From Slavery” as an adult. In this story he is a child laboring at the salt works and struggling to teach himself what he wants to know “more than anything else.” Beautifully illustrated by Chris Soentpiet.

The King of Little Things by Bil Lepp (Grades K to 5)

Champion West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp can make almost anyone sound good with his rhythmic rhymes, telling the story of a modest little king and the unsung odds and ends that stick up for him. It is wonderfully silly and subtle.

Panther Mountain: Lydia’s Story by Christy Perry Tuohey (Grades 5 to 8)

I would highly recommend Panther Mountain: Lydia’s Story by Christy Perry Tuohey. The book deals with the area that would become the state of West Virginia and includes several local references such as Gauley Bridge and Summersville. I purchased the book last fall with the hope of reading it to the Fifth Graders at Fayetteville Prek-8. 

— Janice Wiseman, Fayette County  

Passing the Music Down by Sarah Sullivan (pre-K to adult)

There may be no Vandalia Gathering this year, but you can enjoy a lyrical story, inspired by the tradition of passing the music down to each generation. Any age can find something to appreciate here.

Where, Oh Where, Oh Where, Could We Go? by Tony Caridi (Ages 3+)

Travel across the mountain state touring popular locations and learning to identify the unique WV shape hidden on each page in this rhyming, fast-paced adventure.

— Jeremy Crites, Putnam County

No Star Nights by Anna Smucker (Grades 2 to 5)

The author remembers growing up in Weirton, when smoke from the steel mills blocked the night sky. 

Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story by Anna Smucker (Grades 3 to 5)

I read this to preschoolers and they enjoyed that West Virginia was highlighted in the book, and they also enjoyed their golden delicious apples from Clay County.

— Deb Blakeman, Kanawha County

John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney (Grade PreK to 3)

There are several books about John Henry, the legendary West Virginia man who challenged a new steam-powered tool to stop it from taking the men’s jobs. This one draws details from several versions passed down over the years, highlighting the aspirations of the men.

Mountain Christmas by Marc Harshman (Grades K to 3)

Track Santa on his way to West Virginia with state Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.

West Virginia: A History by John Alexander Williams (middle school to adult)

Each of seven chapters stands alone as a readable, discussion-prompting story for middle school students or older. Each takes on a problem or topic in West Virginia history. Visit Point Pleasant, Harpers Ferry, Droop Mountain, Tug Fork, Paint Creek, Hawks Nest or Buffalo Creek.

The majority of the links above will route you to the online store of Charleston’s Taylor Books. You can still have your books sent to you, as with most online retailers, and your purchase will benefit a West Virginia small business and help to keep local bookstores open!

Books recommended web post 5.2017

Books prescribed to prevent summer slide

by Book Reviews and RecommendationsBooks

Pre-Kindergarten

Tree: a Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup

“A book with peek-through holes that let a child view the changes in a tree throughout the four seasons”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bear’s Big Day by Salina Yoon

Bear, feeling very grown-up, says goodbye to his stuffed rabbit, Floppy, and starts his first day of school, but soon he is missing Floppy and worrying that he is not ready to be a big bear, after all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

Author Morpurgo was inspired by several true events to weave this tale of a family escaping the Dresden bombing with…… an elephant!  The tale is recounted to a young boy when he visits a nursing home and befriends one of the residents.  This is an engrossing story of a family’s perseverance during WWII.

Recommended by Mary Kay Bond.

 

 

 

 

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

A rollicking read aloud sure to delight toddlers with a “join in” refrain. Additionally, the book provides children with exposure to a rich, descriptive vocabulary.

Recommended by Mary Kay Bond.

 

 

 

 

 

Kindergarten to Second Grade

Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel

Jameson refuses to wear pants that are not green, until he has to choose between wearing his green pants and wearing a tuxedo with black pants so that he can be in his cousin’s wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophie’s Squash Goes to School by Pat Zietlow Miller & Anne Wilsdorf

On her very first day of school, Sophie is reluctant to make friends with the other children, preferring to play with two squash she grew in her garden — but when a particularly persistent boy named Steven gives her a packet of seeds as an apology for accidentally ripping her picture, she realizes that it just takes time to grow a friend.

 

 

 

 

Third to Fourth Grade

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark

This book offers an illustrated telling of the story of Ada Byron Lovelace, from her early creative fascination with mathematics and science and her devastating bout with measles, to the ground-breaking algorithm she wrote for Charles Babbage’s analytical engine.

 

 

 

 

 

Sojo: Memoirs of a Reluctant Sled Dog by Pam Flowers

A sled dog on an Alaskan dog team relates her exciting adventures, including a trek across the Arctic with explorer Pam Flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Clancy Late-Breaking News! by Jane O’Connor

When she decides that the articles in the latest issue of the Third Grade Gazette are not interesting enough, Nancy sets out to find some news worth reporting on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth to Sixth Grade

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

“Please let my teacher be okay.” In a harrowing split second, the lives of Anna (the shy one), her Snow Hill School classmates, and their inventive, perceptive, and enigmatic new teacher are forever altered. Yet, even in his absence, Mr. Terupt continues to teach his class the importance of looking beyond stereotypes, and the value of forgiveness. Rob Buyea’s debut novel won an E.B. White Read Aloud Award and has spawned two popular sequels.

Recommended by Bob Fleenor, Berkeley County board member and RAWV volunteer reader.

 

 

 

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent, and not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He’s been gone for four years, but has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. Can an imaginary friend be enough to save this family from losing everything?

 

 

 

 

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements.

 

 

 

 

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

While learning about September 11th, fifth grader Dèja (born after the attacks) realizes how much the events still color her world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, recommendations are by Terry McDougal, Kanawha County Public Library’s Head of Children’s Services. See more about these books and others on our website.