Booklists

From the May 11, 2008 Pigeon Post essay of the same name.

We have put together just a sampling of stories which I hope you will find touching and inspirational. Here's a nod of respect towards the achievements of all those who came before.

Please use the comments section to suggest additional candidates.

This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults

The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults


Picture Books

Marianthe's Story by Aliki Suggested

Peppe the Lamplighter by Elisa Bartone and illustrated by Ted Lewin Recommended

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest and illustrated by P.J. Lynch Recommended

Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel by Leslie Connor and illustrated by Mary Azarian Recommended

My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits and illustrated by Gabriela Swiatkowska Recommended

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say Recommended

They Were Strong and Good by Robert Lawson Suggested

An Ellis Island Christmas by Maxinne Rhea Leighton and illustrated by Dennis Nolan Suggested

Independent Reader

Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes Highly Recommended

Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen and illustrated by Daniel Mark Duffy Suggested

Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse Recommended

The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez Suggested

Dreams in the Golden Country by Kathryn Lasky Suggested

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Lord and illustrated by Marc Simont Recommended

Faraway Summer by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Mary Azarian Suggested

Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear by Lensey Namioka Suggested

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco Suggested

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan Suggested

Meet Kirsten by Janet Beeler Shaw Recommended

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Recommended

All-Of-A-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor and illustrated by Helen John Highly Recommended

Dragonwings by Laurence Yep Recommended

Young Adult

Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch Suggested

Based on the Pigeon Post entry for October 28, 2007.

This selection of books tries to identify those books that relate the specifics and experiences of American citizen soldiers in a way that highlights the service, nobility and self-sacrifice related to war without glorifying war itself.

Please let us know additional titles you think ought to be on this list by adding a comment with the name of the book and title.

How to introduce children to manners? Of course you start with expectations of them (mind your manners), demonstrating those manners so that they have something to copy, and then coaching them through the consistent application of manners.

And there are some wonderful books out there that you can use to introduce manners to children at a young age (before the weeds start growing) when it is far easier for them to absorb. It is often only later they realize just how important manners can be but by then it is harder for it to become second nature.

Here are some of our favorite candidates - do you have some recommendations? Please use the comments section to post them.