Bagging Big Bugs  •  Boris Kondratieff  •  Whitney Cranshaw FIELD GUIDE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A young naturalist's field guide to identifying and collecting insect marvels of the Rocky Mountain range, from southern Canada to New Mexico. The book includes much natural history and distribution information, as well as 250 illustrations (some photos, some line drawings). Ages 12 & up. (USW401, $16.95)
Blind Mountain  •  Jane Resh Thomas LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Both a suspenseful tale of adventure and a realistic portrait of the relationship between a father and his pre-teen son, this Rocky mountain adventure is a gripping story of wilderness survival. (USW479, $15.00)
Born to Be a Cowgirl  •  Candace Savage HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A lively tale of unsung wranglers, cattle drivers and rodeo queens, illustrated with archival photographs. For this engaging, well-illustrated history of women of the Old West, Savage brings together dozens of archival photographs and drawings, interviews, journals and newspaper accounts. Ages 9 to 12. (USW412, $10.95)
Cowboy Stories  •  Barr Moser LITERATURE •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 181 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS Twenty action-packed tales of cattle drives, gunfights, ranching, and survival for teens. With excerpts from classic novels (Shane, The Virginian), new short fiction, stories from real-life cowboys, and bold black-and-white illustrations. (USW533, $16.95)
The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean  •  Alexander McCall Smith  •  Laura Rankin MYSTERY •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 80 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Nine-year-old sleuth Harriet Bean sets off to solve the mystery of her missing-in-action Wild West aunt Formica, in this book for ages 4 to 8 by the author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. (USW477, $9.95)
Dancing Leaf  •  Charlotte Jane Ellington LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) (USW480, $15.95)
Dinosaur Digs  •  Mary Quigley ARCHAEOLOGY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Subtitled Excavating the Past, this informative, lively book introduces younger readers to paleontology, fossils and dinosaur history. For children aged 9-11, and enjoyable for the whole family. (SCI208, $8.99)
DK Guide to Dinosaurs  •  David Lambert NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A colorful, oversize survey of dinosaurs and their world for ages nine and up, featuring striking 3-D models of dozens of species. The extensive accompanying text is by popular science writer David Lambert. With chapters on dinosaur ecology, evolution and behavior. (GEN243, $19.99)
Expedition Yellowstone, A Mountain Adventure  •  Sandra Chisholm Robinson  •  Ellen Meloy LITERATURE •  1986 •  PAPER  • 172 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) The discovery of Yellowstone is the subject of this tale of a mountain man in the Rockies. Illustrated and geared to preteens. (USW319, $12.50)
Feathered Dinosaurs  •  Christopher Sloan  •  Philip J. Currie SCIENCE •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) It is now a commonly accepted notion that birds evolved from dinosaurs, but that wasn't always the case. This wonderfully illustrated book, designed for middle schoolers and published by National Geographic, takes a look at some recently discovered fossils that confirm what some scientists have thought for years -- that some dinosaurs had feathers! (SCI59, $17.95)
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses  •  Paul Goble LITERATURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An award-winning retelling of an old Native American legend about a girl whose love for wild horses is so strong that she is magically transformed into one. Illustrated with brightly colored paintings, it's good for beginning readers. (USW313, $6.99)
How We Crossed the West  •  Rosalyn Schanzer EXPLORATION •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Published by the National Geographic Society, this book brings the U.S. Exploring Expedition to life for young readers (ages 6-10). It includes excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark as well as lively, light-hearted color illustrations, depicting the explorers, and the people, wildlife and landscapes they encountered. (PNW40, $18.00)
Jenny of the Tetons  •  Kristiana Gregory LITERATURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 168 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) The story of an orphan girl who goes to live with a trapper, his Shoshone wife and their children in the 1870s Rockies. Geared to children 10-14, the novel employs real historical figures and a fictional plot as it explores the possibilities for tolerance and friendship between white settlers and Indians. (USW320, $6.95)
The Last Bit-Bear: A Fable  •  Sandra Chisholm Robinson  •  Ellen Ditzler  •  Ellen Meloy LITERATURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 46 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) The clever tale of a bear named Clover and his search for a peaceful, safe place to live. His travels lead him to a national park in the west. For children ages 5-8. (USW314, $5.95)
M is for Montana  •  Gayle C. Shirley  •  Constance Bergum CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1988 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An introduction to Montana in the form of an alphabet book. It is a quick, illustrated collection of facts for elementary school children, part of the "ABC" series. (USW315, $9.95)
Montana Wildflowers, A Beginner's Field Guide to the State's Most Common Flowers  •  Beverly Magley FIELD GUIDE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A fact-filled guide to habitats and a handful of Montana's prominent species of flowers. Learn where they grow, what they look like and a few interesting stories about how they've been eaten by humans, used as an itch-reliever or boiled into a color dye for clothing. With large watercolor illustrations of each flower. Geared for young people, it's a good overview for the whole family. (USW115, $6.95)
National Geographic Dinosaurs  •  Paul Barrett SCIENCE •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An illustrated, encyclopedic reference to dinosaurs, designed for children 9-12. Along with detailed profiles of 50 species, it includes an introduction to paleontology, an overview of behavior, and enough color illustrations to satisfy any young dinosaur enthusiast. (SCI60, $29.95)
Naya Nuki, Shoshoni Girl Who Ran  •  Kenneth Thomasma  •  Eunice Hundley LITERATURE •  1983 •  PAPER  • 131 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Kidnapped by another tribe, Naya Nuki (along with her best friend, Sacajawea) is taken from her home in Montana and brought to a village in North Dakota. She escapes her captors and makes a long journey through the wilderness in search of her people. Written for preteens, this is a powerful tale of survival and spirit. (USW316, $7.99)
Om-Kas-Toe, Blackfeet Twin Captures an Elkdog  •  Kenneth Thomasma  •  Jack Brouwer LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Another tale from Kenneth Thomasma, evoking the rich oral traditions of the Blackfoot Indians. Written for children ages 9-12, it tells of the discovery of an animal unknown to the Blackfeet, something they name the elkdog. (USW410, $7.99)
Once a Wolf, How Wildlife Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf  •  Stephen R. Swinburne  •  Jim Bradenburg NATURAL HISTORY •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Villainized in folklore and literature and considered a bloodthirsty threat to children, sheep and cattle, the grey wolf was nearly wiped out in North America by the 1930s. Swinburne documents conservationists' efforts to reintroduce grey wolves to the ecosystems of Yellowstone and New York State. With color photography, for kids ages 9-12. In the excellent series, Scientists in the Field. (USW112, $16.00)
Owl's Eyes and Seeking a Spirit, Kootenai Indian Stories  •  Confederated Salish  •  Debbie Joseph  •  Howard Kallowat LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) As written and illustrated by residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation, this little storybook a personable, unassuming introduction to Kootenai folktales. Ages 4 to 8. (CND109, $5.95)
The Race to Save the Lord God Bird  •  Phillip Hoose NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 208 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An engaging and well-researched history of the ivory-billed woodpecker, and the struggles surrounding its survival. It's a suspenseful and entertaining book about modern conservation and environmental issues for middle-school readers, featuring John James Audubon and others. The bird, only recently rediscovered, once ranged across the southeastern United States. With black-and-white photographs throughout. (BRD30, $21.00)
The Ranger's Guide to Yosemite, Insider Advice from Ranger Dick  •  Susan Frank GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 180 PAGES A cartoon park ranger leads travellers to the best hikes, accomodations, and recreations in the national park in this handy guide. (RKY4, $16.95)
The Rocky Mountain Berry Book  •  Bob Krumm FIELD GUIDE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 168 PAGES • FAMILY In an inspired move, Bob Krumm included recipes in this family oriented field guide to 15 berry species of the Rockies. Now children may pick and parents may cook, and everyone will be pleased. (USW402, $12.95)
Rocky Mountains  •  Jonathan Grupper NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 31 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A National Geographic "Destinations" book, featuring breathtaking color photographs of the summits, valleys and wildlife of the Rocky mountains. The chatty text recounts a journey by raft, foot and four-wheel drive vehicle throughout the region. Geared for kids ages 6 to 12 although the bold photographs will appeal to the whole family. (USW407, $16.95)
Rocky Mountains Plants and Animals Coloring Book  •  Dot Barlowe NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) 27 detailed line drawings introduce the plants and animals of the region with realistic accuracy. The scenes are narrated by an informative text. A great way to occupy travelers ages 8 and up (the amount of detail may frustrate younger children). (RKY58, $3.95)
Shane  •  Jack Shaefer LITERATURE •  1983 •  PAPER  • 119 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS The classic Western of a mysterious gunman who rides into a Wyoming town to rescue homesteaders from the powerful grip of local cattlemen. Made into a movie with Alan Ladd and Jack Palance, it's a good choice for the young adult interested in the Wild West. (USW321, $6.50)
Spotted Bear, A Rocky Mountain Folktale  •  Hanneke Ippisch  •  Hedvig Rappe-Flowers LITERATURE •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) With thoughtful text by Hanneke Ippisch and full-color illustrations by Hedvig Rappe-Flowers, this Native American folktale will enrich any small child's visit to bear country. With detailed illustrations of plants and animals of the Rocky Mountains scattered throughout, an appendix and mini-field guide to pictured flora and fauna. For children 5 to 8. (CND107, $15.00)