Helen Plum Library

The story of the world's most famous diamonds -- stolen from South Asia during colonization and now among the crown jewels in London -- is a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads high

"In Ashkenazi Jewish folklore, a golem is a humanoid being created out of mud or clay and animated through secret prayers. Its sole purpose is to defend the Jewish people against the immediate threat of violence. It is always a rabbi who makes a golem, and always in a time of crisis. But Len Bronstein is no rabbi--he's a Brooklyn art teacher who steals a large quantity of clay from his school, gets extremely stoned, and manages to bring his creation...

"Una extraordinaria selección de obras esenciales, en su mayoría inéditas, que celebran la fuerza, el talento y la diversidad de las mujeres latinas, y tienden puentes que nos conectan las unas con las otras. Desde la prosa implacable de sor Juana Inés de la Cruz hasta los poderosos cantos de la chamana María Sabina; desde las luchas revolucionarias de Audre Lorde, Lolita Lebrón y Berta Cáceres hasta el activismo de Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez;...

"Sweden is often featured on lists of the happiest countries in the world, so what is it about life in Sweden that makes people so satisfied? Readers explore essential elements of Swedish culture-from the natural beauty citizens are surrounded by to the basics of life such as education and health care and unique elements such as food, festivals, and the arts. Curriculum topics such as history, government, and economics are also highlighted, along...

"Iran has ancient roots, and readers are guided through its past and present in this comprehensive guide to Iranian life. Focused chapters present the nation's history, economy, natural environment, government, religious groups, arts, and more. As readers explore the pillars of Persian culture, they also encounter full-color photographs of Iran's landmarks and people. Detailed sidebars, maps, recipes, and fact boxes enhance this learning experience,...

"Many people are familiar with ancient Egypt, but what about what happened after ancient times? What is Egypt like today? Readers discover the answer in this detailed guide to the world's most populous Arab nation. Chapters focused on history, geography, government, and language supplement common curriculum topics, and others focused on leisure activities, arts, festivals, and food give readers a closer look at what everyday life is like Egypt. Captivating...

"Ireland is a nation known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and unique culture. Readers explore these and many other aspects of life on the Emerald Isle in this meticulously researched and updated guide to Irish culture. Focused chapters highlight the tumultuous history of this nation, its natural resources, its arts scene, and much more. Readers even get a taste of Irish cuisine and are invited to try their hand at preparing it with the...

"Shipwrecked! is an adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers about the most captivating shipwrecks from history. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time"--

"Mercury--rocky and hot. Developing readers learn about our solar system's smallest planet and its key features in this low-level search-and-find beginning reader. Orbiting closest to our sun, Mercury is about the size of Earth's moon. Its gray, wrinkly surface is covered in craters and cliffs. Early readers discover new vocabulary about Mercury's geography, place in the solar system, and latest spacecraft to visit it. A search-and-find feature reinforces...

"Uranus--cold and icy. Developing readers learn about the ice giant's key features in this low-level search-and-find. Uranus is one cool planet. Seventh from the sun, Uranus orbits on its side. Its blueish-green color comes from its clouds, and when it storms, diamonds rain down! Early readers discover new vocabulary about this planet in our solar system, including facts about its weather, faint rings, and the only spacecraft to fly by it. A search-and-find...