Your Sun, Manny

Your Sun, Manny
Author: Marie Harris
Publisher: White Pine Press
Total Pages: 100
Release: 1999
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780898232059

Innovative poetry that combines lyricism, narrative, and biography

My Empire of Dirt

My Empire of Dirt
Author: Manny Howard
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2010-04-27
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1439171661

For seven months, Manny Howard—a lifelong urbanite—woke up every morning and ventured into his eight-hundred-square-foot backyard to maintain the first farm in Flatbush, Brooklyn, in generations. His goal was simple: to subsist on what he could produce on this farm, and only this farm, for at least a month. The project came at a time in Manny’s life when he most needed it—even if his family, and especially his wife, seemingly did not. But a farmer’s life, he discovered—after a string of catastrophes, including a tornado, countless animal deaths (natural, accidental, and inflicted), and even a severed finger—is not an easy one. And it can be just as hard on those he shares it with. Manny’s James Beard Foundation Award–winning New York magazine cover story—the impetus for this project—began as an assessment of the locavore movement. We now think more about what we eat than ever before, buying organic for our health and local for the environment, often making those decisions into political statements in the process. My Empire of Dirt is a ground-level examination—trenchant, touching, and outrageous—of the cultural reflex to control one of the most elemental aspects of our lives: feeding ourselves. Unlike most foodies with a farm fetish, Manny didn’t put on overalls with much of a philosophy in mind, save a healthy dose of skepticism about some of the more doctrinaire tendencies of locavores. He did not set out to grow all of his own food because he thought it was the right thing to do or because he thought the rest of us should do the same. Rather, he did it because he was just crazy enough to want to find out how hard it would actually be to take on a challenge based on a radical interpretation of a trendy (if well-meaning) idea and see if he could rise to the occasion. A chronicle of the experiment that took slow-food to the extreme, My Empire of Dirt tells the story of one man’s struggle against environmental, familial, and agricultural chaos, and in the process asks us to consider what it really takes (and what it really means) to produce our own food. It’s one thing to know the farmer, it turns out—it’s another thing entirely to be the farmer. For most of us, farming is about food. For the farmer, and his family, it’s about work.

The Girl Who Heard Colors

The Girl Who Heard Colors
Author: Marie Harris
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2013-09-26
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0698135105

This eye-opening picture book introduces readers to their five senses and to synesthesia—a condition in which one sense triggers another. For some people, sounds or tastes have colors. And for others, numbers and letters do. Many famous artists have been synesthetes, including Tori Amos, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Mozart, and Degas. Imagine that when you hear a bell you see silver or when a dog barks you see red. That’s what it’s like for Jillian—when she hears sounds she sees colors. At first the kids at school make fun of Jillian. Jillian worries about being different until her music teacher shows her that having synesthesia is an amazing thing. This lively, informative picture book makes synesthesia easy to understand and celebrates each person’s unique way of experiencing the world.

Race to the Sun

Race to the Sun
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
Publisher: Disney Electronic Content
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2020-01-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1368044255

Lately, seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has been able to detect monsters, like that man in the fancy suit who was in the bleachers at her basketball game. Turns out he's Mr. Charles, her dad's new boss at the oil and gas company, and he's alarmingly interested in Nizhoni and her brother, Mac, their Navajo heritage, and the legend of the Hero Twins. Nizhoni knows he's a threat, but her father won't believe her. When Dad disappears the next day, leaving behind a message that says "Run!", the siblings and Nizhoni's best friend, Davery, are thrust into a rescue mission that can only be accomplished with the help of Diné Holy People, all disguised as quirky characters. Their aid will come at a price: the kids must pass a series of trials in which it seems like nature itself is out to kill them. If Nizhoni, Mac, and Davery can reach the House of the Sun, they will be outfitted with what they need to defeat the ancient monsters Mr. Charles has unleashed. But it will take more than weapons for Nizhoni to become the hero she was destined to be . . . Timeless themes such as the importance of family and respect for the land resonate in this funny, fast-paced, and exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Publisher: Abrams
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2013-05-07
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1613125720

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote is an allegorical picture book about the hardships and struggles of immigration from award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. A Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Honor Book! An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! Papa Rabbit left two years ago to travel far away north to find work in the great carrot and lettuce fields to earn money for his family. When Papa does not return home on the designated day, Pancho sets out to find him. He packs Papa’s favorite meal—mole, rice and beans, a heap of still-warm tortillas, and a jug full of fresh aguamiel—and heads north. Along the way, Pancho crosses a river, climbs a fence, and passes through a tunnel guarded by uniformed, bribe-taking snakes. He soon meets a coyote, who offers to help Pancho in exchange for some of Papa’s favorite foods. They travel together until the food is gone and the coyote decides he is still hungry . . . for Pancho! Tonatiuh enlivens Pancho’s story with the spirit of regional folklore, and he adds cultural atmosphere in arresting, flat folk art filled with cultural references. Of course, “coyote” has two meanings here. With tenderness and honesty, he brings to light the trials and tribulations facing families who seek to make better lives for themselves and their children by illegally crossing borders. “Incandescent, humane and terribly necessary.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “Pancho Rabbit’s trip has the feel of a classic fable or fairy tale.” ―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Salvage the Bones

Salvage the Bones
Author: Jesmyn Ward
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2012-04-12
Genre: African American children
ISBN: 140882700X

A hurricane is building over the Gulf of Mexico, threatening the coastal town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi, and Esch's father is growing concerned. He's a hard drinker, largely absent, and it isn't often he worries about the family. Esch and her three brothers are stocking up on food, but there isn't much to save. Lately, Esch can't keep down what food she gets; at fifteen, she has just realized that she's pregnant. Her brother Skeetah is sneaking scraps for his prized pit bull's new litter, dying one by one. Meanwhile, brothers Randall and Junior try to stake their claim in a family long on child's play and short on parenting. As the twelve days that make up the novel's framework yield to a dramatic conclusion, this unforgettable family - motherless children sacrificing for one another as they can, protecting and nurturing where love is scarce - pulls itself up to face another day.

Islandborn

Islandborn
Author: Junot Díaz
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 48
Release: 2018-03-13
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0735230951

From New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz comes a debut picture book about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination. A 2019 Pura Belpré Honor Book for Illustration Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else. Hers was a school of faraway places. So when Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island—she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories—joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening—Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: “Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.” Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us—to our families, to our past and to ourselves.

Pet Paradise

Pet Paradise
Author: Dandy Ahaoma Ahuruonye
Publisher: Dandy Ahuruonye
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2024-09-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN:

Welcome to the enchanting world of Pet Paradise, a delightful children’s book by the ever-imaginative Dandy Ahuruonye. This charming tale promises to whisk young readers away to a fantasy realm where pets live happily ever after, and adventures abound. But how? Imagine a place where your beloved pets, even those who have crossed the rainbow bridge, can frolic and play once more. That’s exactly what Didi, a clever engineer, envisioned when she created Pet Paradise. Using a powerful computer program, Didi brings pets back to life, giving them a second chance at happiness. “What if you could see your pets again, even after they die?” she muses. "If you could hug them, play with them, and love them forever, what would you be willing to give to make that happen?" Didi’s creation, an AI supercomputer named Groccolli, is tasked with maintaining this paradise. Groccolli’s mission is simple yet profound: to bring back as many pets as possible and ensure they live happily and healthily. From monarch butterflies to praying mantises, Groccolli’s efforts are nothing short of miraculous. “Every pet deserves a second chance at happiness,” he declares. “And I’m here to make that happen.” But Pet Paradise isn’t without its challenges. The pets must navigate pesky mosquitoes, pollution, and even the fear of death. Didi and Groccolli are determined to create a true paradise, where no pet ever gets sick, grows old, or dies. “We want a place of happiness, peace, and love for everyone, forever,” Didi explains. Their ultimate goal is The Real Pet Paradise, a utopia where every pet and animal can live in perfect harmony. Pet Paradise is more than just a story; it’s a celebration of love, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets. Ahuruonye’s witty and poetic prose brings this surreal world to life, making it a joy for young readers. The book is filled with memorable quotes and highlights, such as: “In Pet Paradise, every wag of a tail and every purr is a symphony of joy.” “Happiness is a warm, furry friend by your side.” “Love knows no bounds, not even the boundaries of life and death.” Parents, this book is a must-have for your child’s bookshelf. It’s educational, entertaining, and beautifully written. It encourages children to cherish their pets, to dream big, and to believe in the power of love and imagination. Plus, it’s packed with humour and wit, making it a delightful read for both kids and adults. So why wait? Dive into the pages of Pet Paradise and unleash your child’s imagination. This is a book that promises to leave them smiling, laughing, and longing for more; especially if they had or have pets. Get your copy today and embark on an unforgettable journey to a place where every pet’s dream comes true!

Manny's Surprise Baby

Manny's Surprise Baby
Author: S.C. Wynne
Publisher: S.C. Wynne
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2017-10-29
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Non-Shifter Mpreg Romance. Enemies to lovers. Pierce MacPherson is a solar eclipse omega with a chip on his shoulder. He was in a horrible relationship where his alpha sold him to other alphas for their pleasure, and now that he's free, he definitely has a thing against alphas. Seth Rider works for Shield and he's an alpha with no desire to settle down with one woman. But when he discovers that a one night stand eight years ago produced a daughter he'd never heard of, he steps up to the challenge. The problem is, Seth doesn't know the first thing about raising a kid. Pierce has some experience working with kids and when they meet, Pierce is guilted in to helping out for a week. It's only supposed to be one week. But when Seth starts having unusual sexual feelings toward Pierce, things get a little complicated. And when the two men give into their urges, and Pierce gets pregnant, things get even more muddled.

African American Scenebook

African American Scenebook
Author: Kathryn Ervin
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2014-06-03
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1135694052

Kathryn Ervin and Ethel Pitts Walker have compiled a delicately balanced and impeccably coherent anthology of some of the best scenes from the past sixty years of African American theatre. Each scene subtly articulates African American culture in a Western frame and explores universal themes embedded in unique characters, stories, languages, and time periods. Theatrically appropriate for secondary students, African American Scenebook also provides unique opportunities for classroom discussion about the difficult issues relating to race in America.