Alaska ABC Book  •  Charlene Kreeger  •  Shannon Cartwright CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2003 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An introduction to Alaska for kids 4-8, presented in an ABC format. (ALA190, $9.95)
Alaska's 12 Days of Summer  •  Pat Chamberlain-Calamar  •  Shannon Cartwright CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2003 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A lighthearted tribute to the wildlife of Alaska for youngsters, presented in illustrations and song lyrics set to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas." (ALA191, $9.95)
Alaska's Three Bears  •  Shelley Gill  •  Shannon Cartwright LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This book, written for elementary school kids, teaches about bear ecology while telling the story of a black bear, a grizzly bear and a polar bear and their search for homes in the Alaskan wilderness. (ALA189, $9.95)
Ancient Forests, Discovering Nature  •  Margaret Anderson NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 40 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A workbook on the ecology and folklore of the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, this book features 16 activities geared for children ages 9-12. (ALA67, $6.95)
Bird (Eyewitness Books)  •  David Burnie NATURAL HISTORY •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An introduction to birds, their evolution, biology and behavior, in the graphic Eyewitness style with hundreds of color photographs and drawings of feathers, wings, nests, eggs (and surprisingly few birds!). It's an excellent introduction to the life of a bird for middle school readers. Includes a CD of bird-related clipart. (BRD04, $15.99)
A Child's Glacier Bay  •  Kimberly Corral NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A photographic journal of camping and kayaking at Glacier Bay with 13-year-old Hannah, younger brother Ben and their parents. Dad took the pictures and mom wrote the book with Hannah. It's a good introduction to the land and nature of Glacier Bay for young readers ages 4 to 8. (ALA87, $15.95)
Children of the Midnight Sun, Young Native Voices of Alaska  •  Tricia Brown CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2007 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A profile of eight children, this book features vivid color photography and great information on daily life, customs and background of the Tlingit, Haida, Aleut and other cultures throughout Alaska. Aimed at children ages 9-12, it's a balanced presentation of modern challenges and traditional ways. Outstanding. (ALA68, $8.95)
Disappearing Lake  •  Debbie S. Miller  •  Jon Van Zyle NATURAL HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Illustrated with large wildlife paintings, this book explains the vernal lakes of Alaska's Denali National Park. Formed by the melting winter snows, these lakes evaporate as the summer progresses, producing a unique ecosystem. Written for elementary school children, it can be enjoyed as both an educational book and a collection of nature paintings. (ALA98, $7.95)
Frozen Stiff  •  Sherry Shahan LITERATURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 150 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A story of adventure set in the Alaskan wilderness. Two young kayakers set out for what they figure will be a harmless day traversing the fjords, when an unexpected twist of events sends them into a struggle for survival. It's a fast moving novel, perfect for preteens. (ALA103, $5.50)
I Heard the Owl Call My Name  •  Margaret Craven LITERATURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 159 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS In this brief novel, a young vicar comes to live with the Kwakiutl Indians of the town of Kingcome in the Pacific Northwest. Written for teens but worthwhile for adults, it is a story of cultural sharing and the rediscovery of ancient Native American traditions. (PNW90, $6.99)
Julie of the Wolves  •  Jean Craighead George LITERATURE •  1972 •  PAPER  • 170 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS The classic tale of a young Eskimo girl who chooses to run with the wolves rather than submit to a cruel husband. This young adult novel whipped up some controversy on publication in 1972, due to brief but violent sexual content, and we would caution parents that it's most appropriate for teens and sophisticated pre-teens. (ALA144, $5.99)
Kavik the Wolf Dog  •  Walt Morey  •  Peter Parnall LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A reprint of a classic children's novel about Kavik, a wolf-dog who is rescued by a loving boy after a plane crash in Alaska. Kavik, who has been reared as a champion sled-dog, is taken away from the boy and must make a perilous journey back to his home in Washington. He is determined to reunite with his savior, though, and makes a 2000 mile journey from Washington to Alaska, in search of the compassionate boy. Written for preteens. (ALA99, $5.99)
Kiana's Iditarod  •  Shelley Gill  •  Shannon Cartwright LITERATURE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 64 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Geared towards elementary school students, this is a tale of the great Alaskan dog-sled race Iditarod, as seen through the eyes of Kiana, one of the lead sled dogs. Ages 5-8. (ALA104, $9.95)
Lucky Hares and Itchy Bears  •  Susan Ewing  •  Evon Zerbetz LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This children's book combines lively block print illustrations of Alaskan wildlife with short poems. It is a colorful, fun introduction to the nature of Alaska that may be written for elementary school children, but can be enjoyed by the whole family. (ALA116, $8.95)
My Denali, Exploring Alaska's Favorite National Park with Hannah Corral  •  Kimberly Corral  •  Hannah Corral  •  Roy Corral NATURAL HISTORY •  1995 •  HARD COVER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A day in the life of Denali National Park, as seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl. Hannah Corral and her parents, Kimberly and Roy, spend a summer day hiking through the stunning Alaskan wilderness, commenting on the natural beauty. Written by Kimberley and Hannah and complemented by Roy's nature photography, this book is a wonderful companion for any family traveling to the Denali National Park. Written for ages 9-12. (ALA96, $15.95)
A Northern Christmas  •  Rockwell Kent TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • FAMILY First published in 1941, this charming book is adapted from Kent's Wilderness, A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska (ALA106, $17.95). It's Rockwell Kent's illustrated tale of Christmas with his nine-year-old son in remote Alaska. The woodcuts are delightful. (ALA175, $11.95)
Orcas Around Me, My Alaskan Summer  •  Deborah Page  •  Leslie W. Bowman LITERATURE •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) The story of a summer spent fishing in the waters off Alaska's coast, as told through the voice of a young boy named Taiga (who is actually the author's son). Written for elementary school children. (ALA117, $15.95)
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest  •  Gerald McDermott LITERATURE •  1993 •  HARD COVER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Told in simple language, this beautifully illustrated traditional tale of the raven -- a familiar symbol on totem poles -- is geared for children ages 4-8. A Caldecott Honor Book. (ALA62, $16.00)
Seabird  •  Holling C. Holling LITERATURE •  1978 •  PAPER  • 61 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Whether you're at the coast or on the ocean, this children's book is excellently appropriate reading. An illustrated classic, it follows the history of American seafaring through the eyes (and adventures) of a carved ivory gull. Across four generations and around the world, by whaler, clipper, steamer and airplane, the gull witnesses life at sea. Ages 9-12. (OCE79, $11.95)
Tisha, The Story of a Young Teacher in the Alaska Wilderness  •  Robert Specht BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2003 •  PAPER  • 342 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS The as-told-to autobiography of Anne Hobbs, who in 1927, at age 19, accepted a position as the only schoolteacher in Chicken, Alaska. Called "Tisha" by her students, Anne unwittingly enraged the white townspeople by consorting with Alaskan natives; but with grace, determination and bravery she continued to act as she thought right. This compelling book is a marvelous portrait of pre-statehood Alaska -- and a wonderful read. Ages 11 and up. (ALA133, $7.50)
Touching Spirit Bear  •  Ben Mikaelsen LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 241 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS In the tradition of Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet" comes this novel of a delinquent boy's adventures on a remote Alaskan island. This young adult's novel follows the fate of Cole, an abused and abusive troubled teen who chooses a traditional First Nation punishment -- banishment -- over incarceration. But banishment isn't sufficient to reform Cole. For that, it takes an encounter with the white Spirit Bear of First Nation legends. Ages 12 and up. (PNW127, $5.99)
Whale (Eyewitness Books)  •  Frank Greenaway NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 72 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) This highly visual overview of whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals, their habitats, means of communication, and biology is geared for 9-12 year olds. (BST10, $15.99)