Boy, Were We Wrong About the Weather! by Kathleen Kudlinski is a new book in this nonfiction series.  By reading it we learn about ancient beliefs – Sumerian god, Enlil, being angry and filling the sky with thunder and lightning, or using a hovering dragonfly to predict rain – compared with what we know now.  We have come a long way in understanding the causes of weather, how to predict it and how to stay safe.  The author lets us know we are still learning about weather and suggests ways we can impact recent changes and slow global warming.  If we all do our part, positive change is possible.

I’ve always been fascinated by Native American culture.  I like learning about the tribes from our area.  Kunu’s Basket – a story from Indian Island is about the Penobscot.  Kunu is trying to make a basket, but each time he begins, the ash strips go all wrong.  He wants to carry on his family tradition, but cannot see how it is possible.  Kunu goes to visit his grandfather, Muhmum, and while there, learns that it has not been easy for anyone to learn the art of basket making.  It takes time to master and time to understand.  While reading Kunu’s story, readers learn the steps of the basket making process and the illustrations show a variety of traditional baskets that are made.  This might go well with Cynthia Lord’s, A Handful of Stars, a novel with a brief connection with the native tribes of Maine as well.

And finally, I Will Never Get A Star On Mrs. Benson’s Blackboard by Jennifer Mann reminds us all that being good at what makes you happy is most important.  Yes, school likes you to be quiet and neat, organized and accurate.  But school also needs you to be creative and colorful, risk-taking and involved.  I know I will never be like Mrs. Benson is in this book, but I think I might be like her after the story is over.  I like to think that she was changed by the star she earned and is now more open to different ways of being, doing and learning.  What do you think?