The incredible true story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, American space pioneer and former director of the Johnson Space Center. The daughter of immigrants, Ellen always wanted to become a professional flutist while growing up. However, those dreams changed when she got to college and discovered engineering. While she was told that engineering was not a field of study for women, she did not let that deter her from her new dreams, which ultimately led to her becoming a NASA astronaut, and the first Hispanic woman to reach outer space.
Americas
Materials from the Americas
The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles of Cans Brought New Hope to an Island
The amazing true story of Mahani Teave, an award-winning pianist and environmental activist. After becoming an internationally acclaimed concert pianist, with tours around the world, Mahani never forgot the tiny island where she grew up, Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, and one of the most remote. Aware of the islands environmental struggles and sustainability issues with pollution from tourism, Mahani was inspired to help save its environment and culture by creating a music school. The school was built using thousands of bottles, cans and tires in its walls, incorporating rain barrels, solar panels, and a food garden. Not only does Mahani help build a sustainable future for Rapa Nui, she also ensures the music will play on.
The Girl Who Heard the Music is the WOW Recommends book for October 2023.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
Game Of Freedom: Mestre Bimba And The Art Of Capoeira
An illuminating biography of Mestre Bimba, a capoeira player who used art in resistance to racial oppression, transforming a marginalized practice into a global sensation. Part art form, part martial arts, dance, music, acrobatics and spirituality, capoeira is difficult to not only to define, but declare where it originated from. It can be said, with certainty, that Brazil was the only country in the world where it was being played in the early 20th century, mainly by people of African decent. The game was outlawed in 1890, just two years after Brazil abolished slavery, but by the early 1920s Mestre Bimba advocated for capoeira and the people who played it.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
El Español Es La Lengua De Mi Familia (Spanish Edition)
To prepare for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, a young boy asks his grandmother for help. There are words he still does not know how to spell. With this simple request, a door is opened for him to learn more about his grandmother’s story as she reveals how she was only allowed to speak English at school when she was a young girl. This story inspires him to study hard for the spelling bee so he can make his family proud. Inspired by the author’s memories of his grandmother’s stories told to him when he was a boy.
Days Of The Dead
Describes the origin and meaning of the Mexican festival of the Days of the Dead, and shows how it is observed by one peasant family.
The Prince And The Coyote
Fifteen year old Acolmiztli, crown prince of a Pre Columbian Mexico (c. 1418), wants nothing more than to see Tetzcoco thrive. But after a palace plot leaves his father dead, Acolmiztli is forced into exile with his mother and siblings, where they must seek refuge in the wilderness as their lives depend on it. After a coyote comes to their aid by helping Acolmiztli find his way, he takes on the new name of Nezahualcoyotl, or fasting coyote (“Neza” for short). A blend of poetry and prose, including translations of surviving poems written by Nezahualcoyotl, translated from classical Nahuatl by David Bowles, this action-packed epic takes readers on an adventure, bringing to life one of Mexico’s most treasured heroes – Nezahualcoyotl.
The Stone Child: The Misewa Saga, Book Three
The third book in the Misewa Saga fantasy series, where it is a race against time to save Eli after being discovered near-lifeless at the base of the Great Tree. In order to save him Morgan will have to ask for help, from friends new and old. With Arik and Emily at her side, they journey on the path away from the Great Tree where they must enter the northern woods, a place they have been warned to never enter. Here they must face new challenges as they encounter life-threatening attacks from horrifying creatures. But with a surprise ally coming to their aid, Morgan discovers the strength she needs to focus on saving her brother’s life, the thing that is most important.
The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga, Book Two
The second book of the Misewa Saga series, described as the Narnia-inspired Indigenous fantasy series, The Great Bear continues the story of Eli and Morgan as they journey back in time to Misewa to visit their animal friends in search of answers and solace as they navigate the perils of personal issues back home. But upon their return they learn that the village is in danger again and that in order to find strength to protect their friends they must dig deep within themselves. But will they be able to carry this strength back home with them as they navigate their own personal challenges?
The Portal Keeper: The Misewa Saga, Book Four
The fourth book in the Misewa Saga, The Portal Keeper takes readers on an adventure as Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations. While exploring the newly discovered area of Aski, World’s End, Eli struggles to comprehend his new found power of being able to locate a portal, while Morgan and Emily take delight in their developing relationship. But a turn of events takes them to the Ministik Village, where its animal inhabitants are going missing. The children vow to help by turning to friends, once again, but it is getting harder to maintain the separation of two worlds, especially when details of a traditional legend can change everything forever.
The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around Earth
Follow the moon through the eyes of a father and daughter in this informative and visually stunning nonfiction picture book. Written by astronomer Jun Chang-hoon, and illustrated by award-winning Jang Ho, the book provides easy-to-follow scientific explanations for young readers alongside lavish acrylic drawings of the moon in the night sky.