Listology
Community in Action
Our communities in action: suddenly, many books that felt like distant history have become topical once again. Reading about the desperate challenges our forebears have faced, especially in well-researched novels and nonfiction, give us all hope that we can find a bridge to the better side.
Community Building: Picture Books
a booklist featuring picture books that relate stories of peace through community building
Community Building: Novels
In this booklist, we recommend novels for ages 9 to adult that tell stories of characters who build a caring community around them.
Death and Grief
For those who are mourning the loss of a relative, a pet, a friend, a teacher, these books for young and old are recommended by our subscribers.
Floods and Hurricanes
With recent hurricanes and flooding so much in the news and a part of conversations, we’ve pulled together a group of books that will help those who learn from fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Scary Short Story Collections and Novels for Middle Grade Readers
While Halloween is just weeks away, scary stories are year-round favorites for many kids. Scary story collections and stand-alone novels often appear on the bestseller lists in kid-lit publishing.
It Takes Place on Alcatraz
Books about a specific locale are magnets for readers. One of the places that has mythological status in American culture is Alcatraz Island. Here are some of the books about this island that captivates our imaginations.
Math for the Young Set
There are all kinds of ways to bring math into a young child’s life. Count birds outside the window. Talk about shapes and give them names. Discuss measurements while cooking. Our favorite way is to read stories and look at picture books, absorbing math concepts easily.
When Families Gather
In the midst of the holidays, or at any gathering-time of year, these books are “just right” for reading out loud to young and old. Celebrate family!
Mental Health: Nonfiction
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, offer selected nonfiction books with mental health as a focus.
Mental Health: Grief
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, developed this list of middle grade novels and picture books with grief and loss as a focus.
Mental Health: LGBTQ: Middle Grade
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, developed this list of books for middle grade readers with mental health and LGBTQ characters as a focus.
Mental Health: Several Lists
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood have contributed several lists for PreK-Grade 8 in which mental health is a part of the story.
Mental Health: Character Mental Health: Middle Grade
Middle grade readers will find windows and mirrors in these novels whose characters experience anxiety, phobias, depression, therapy, OCD, ADHD, or grief. This list, developed by Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, provides good recommendations.
Mental Health: Picture Books
For a child experiencing anxiety, phobias, depression, or grief, a picture book is a good conversation starter. This list, developed by Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, is essential.