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| Grade K-2 | Grade 3-4 | Grade 5-6 | Grade 7-8 | Grade 9-12 |
Grades K-2
A Country Far Away
Written by Nigel Gray
Illustrated by Philippe Dupasquier
New York: Orchard Books, 1989
The story is enhanced by illustrations depicting cultural differences and commonalties shared by two boys. One lives in an African village, the other in an American city.
Bread, Bread, Bread
Written by Ann Morris
Photographs by Ken Heyman
New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1989.
This book uses color photographs focusing on making, eating, and selling bread while exploring cultures around the world.
Felix Explores Planet Earth
Written by Annette Langen
New York: Abbeville, 1997
A warm and cuddly bunny explores the world through geography and history.
The Stream
Written and illustrated by Naomi Russell
New York: Cutton, 1990
This book explores the physical world with a simple introduction to the water cycle.
Wonderful Animals of Australia
Written by Jane R. McCauley
Illustrated by John Sibbick
Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1997
Explore Australia with this delightful pop-up book. Creatures will delight and entertain children as they learn about some of the worlds most amazing animals.
Grades 3-4
How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark
Written and Illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer
Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1997
A beautifully illustrated account of Lewis and Clarks exploration based on their journals is an invitation for children to explore the frontier and an exciting time in history.
I'm Going to Pet a Worm Today
Written by Canstance Levy
Illustrated by Ronald Himler
New York: McElderry Books, 1991
A series of poems provide an examination of the physical environment while focusing on a childs reaction to nature. For example, Tree Coming Up, describes the shoot of an oak tree breaking through the earth.
Lets Go Traveling
Written and illustrated by Robin Rector Krupp
New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1992
This book uses maps, photographs, drawings, and collages to tell the story of a child traveling the world exploring mysteries of the ancient world, including the Caves of Lascaux, the Great Wall of China, the Mayan temples, the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge.
Night Letters
Written by Palmyra LoMonaco
Illustrated by Normand Chartier
New York: Dutton, 1996
A child explores the world through messages left in her back yard. This book examines nature from the perspective of a child.
Owl Moon
Written by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by John Schoenherr
New York: Philomel, 1987
A poetic story follows father and child as they search for owls in the winter woods. The story responds to the aesthetic beauty in nature recreating the texture of the woods.
Grades 5-6
John Muir
Written by Eden Force
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1990
This biography tells the story of John Muir and his love for and dedication to the Yosemite Valley. The book illustrates what one person can accomplish when they are concerned about the relationship between people and the environment.
Mojave
Written by Diane Siebert
Illustrated by Wendell Minor
New York: Crowell, 1988
Paintings combined with poetic text explore the beauty of the desert through its landforms, wildlife, seasons, and peoples history.
Morning Girl
Written by Michael Dorris
New York: Hyperion, 1992
This book recreates Taino life in 1492 as seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother. One morning while swimming, she meets a group of explorers. The story ends with a citation from Columbus' diary.
Destination: Rain Forest
Written by Jonathan Grupper
Children become explorers of the worlds tropical rain forests. The magnificent photographs invite readers to discover the diversity of plant and animal life in these unique environments.
Zoom
Illustrated by Istvan Banyai
New York: Viking, 1995
A wordless picture book explores the world through a series of scenes, each one from farther away
Grades 7-8
Dove
Written by Robin L. Graham
New York: HarperCollins, 1972
This is a true story of a 16-year-old explorer doing something that most kids only dream about. He set off on his own boat to sail around the world.
Emilys Guide to the 50 States
Written by Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by Amy Schwartz
New York: Doubleday, 1997
Young people can delight in exploring the United States by examining Emily's guide that she creates when she travels across the country with her grandma. This book is filled with unique stories and interesting facts about our nation.
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
Written by Paul Fleischman
Illustrated by Eric Beddows
New York: Harper & Row, 1988
Poems written in two parts are designed to be read concurrently by two readers. They explore the world through experimenting with sounds and movements of insects.
The Sunita Experiment
Written by Mitali Perkins
New York: Little Brown, 1993
Cultural differences are explored when thirteen-year-old Sunita comes face to face with her heritage when her grandparents from India arrive for a yearlong visit.
Wolf Stalker: National Parks
Written by Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson
Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1997
Children explore the natural landscape of Yellowstone National Park as they use scientific reasoning and investigate a thrilling mystery. A map of Yellowstone National Park and a color photographic insert come with the novel.
Grades 9-12
Columbus and the World Around Him
Written by Milton Melzer
New York: Franklin Watts, 1990
This biography illustrates the controversy over the 500th anniversary of one of the worlds most infamous explorers, Columbus, and his arrival in the Americas.
The Island
Written by Gary Paulsen
New York: Bantam, 1988
A teenager learns about nature when he discovers and explores an isolated island that he decides to live on.
The Moon by Whale Light: and Other Adventures Among Bats, Penguins, Crocodilians and Whales
Written by Diane Ackerman
New York: Random House, 1991
Young adults explore the world of wildlife with fun and adventure in this book.
When the Legends Die
Written by Hal Borland
New York: HarperCollins, 1963
The story of a Ute boy explores nature and courage while he struggles for survival after taking refuge in the wilderness.