Our July reads celebrate Nature! When you find a book you would like to explore, click on the title and be taken directly to our catalog. Happy reading!
Children
My Friend Earth – Patricia McLachlan
Francesca Sanna, one of my favorite artists, was the illustrator for this beautiful story about Mother Earth. In it, bright illustrations and fun cutaways tell a story of Earth and everything she touches and cares for every day.
The Hike – Alison Farrell
The Hike tells the story of three sisters who love to go on hikes and adventure together until one day they get lost and rely on one another to find their way back. Each page has helpfully detailed illustrations of plants, animals, and natural phenomena your children may encounter on their own nature adventures!
We are Water Protectors – Carole Lindstrom
Carole Lindstrom of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe wrote this beautiful story to connect our nation’s current water crisis to the indigenous teachings of earth, humans, animals, and plants being related. Through a young protagonist, we understand that the fight for clean water is the fight for the health of the Earth and everything that inhabits it.
A Field Guide to Getting Lost – Joy McCullough
Luis and Sutton are on an adventure of forced family fun while their respective parents try to encourage a friendship between them. This middle grade debut from YA and picture book author, Joy McCullough explores the complicated relationships between divorced parents and their children, as well as how to work together to see through what divides them.
A New Kind of Wild – Zara Gonzalez Hoang
Ren loved exploring and imagining his home on the edge of El Yunque National Forest and misses it terribly when he moves to the city. Ava, a neighbor in his new apartment, loves her city and teaches him how to find nature and creativity in his new home. Written and illustrated by Zara Gonzalez Hoang, this story and bright images are sure to inspire creativity and love of nature to all readers!
Outside In – Deborah Underwood
Outside In is a charming story of our relationship with the outdoors and what we can learn from nature. Simple text and watercolor illustrations spark imagination and engage readers in a fun seek and find for all the hidden creatures on each page
Hoot – Carl Hiassen
A middle grade classic, Hoot introduces readers to environmental activism and protection of Earth’s vulnerable creatures through an immersive and relatable, but mysterious story.
Teen
Taking on the Plastics Crisis – Hannah Testa
Part of the Pocket Change Collective, this book concisely and effectively informs readers about the overproduction and overconsumption of plastic, as well as the misinformation spread about the ability to reuse and recycle a bulk of the types of plastic manufactured.
As the Crow Flies – Melanie Gillman
This graphic novel features Charlie, the only Black and queer hiker on her church’s backpacking camp. Gillman perfectly illustrates the feeling of being alone while surrounded by people and how intersectionality affects advocacy spaces.
Flamer – Mike Curato
Mike Curato is known for his Little Elliot picture book series and as the illustrator of beloved titles like Worm Loves Worm, The Sharey Godmother, and What if, but Flamer is his semi-autobiographical YA debut. It’s a graphic novel about Aiden Navarro as he navigates friendships, bullying, and self-discovery at scout camp. Curato’s simple, but evocative illustrations help explore the teenage years that are difficult for anyone, but magnified for a person who identifies as LGBTQ+.
Honor Girl – Maggie Thrash
Honor Girl is Maggie Thrash’s graphic memoir which explores falling in love, self discovery, and friendships at Summer camp.
Imaginary Borders – Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
Another piece of the Pocket Change Collective, Imaginary Borders is an information-packed and concise essay that explores climate change through his perspective as a member of an Indigenous community, and the ways in which youth activism can change the world.
Earth Day and the Environmental Movement – Christy Peterson
This short, but information-packed work covers the history and impetus behind the Earth Day movement and explores the pushback from politicians and oil companies. This book will serve as a reminder to care for our planet not only on Earth Day, but in choices small and large every day of the year.
Adult
The Soul of an Octopus – Sy Montgomery
Perhaps the best-known work by Naturalist Sy Montgomery, The Soul of an Octopus is a fascinating look into the lives of one of the world’s smartest creatures- and their surprising personalities.
Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer
This moving perspective on the relationship between humans and their planet as it has evolved is equal parts informative, emotional, and inspiring. Botanist and Potawatomi citizen Robin Wall Kimmerer shares her insight from all parts of her life- as a parent, indigenous wisdom, an educator, and human to form this moving collection of essays.
Call of the Wild and Free – Ainsley Arment
Feeling trapped by the school system educating her son, and like the “light was going out of his eyes”, author Ainsley Arment decided to reclaim the freedom of childhood for her kids. Call of the Wild and Free is part memoir and part homeschooling guide with the aim to reacquaint humans with the world in which we live.
The Graphic Guide to Beekeeping – Yves Gustin
If anyone is looking into beekeeping, this graphic guide is an excellent resource to add to your library. Gustin’s illustrations explain everything from the anatomy of each kind of bee, their life cycles, types of hives, predators, and common plants that bees love. For visual learners, The Graphic Guide to Beekeeping is an indispensable how-to and when-to companion!!
The Four Winds – Kristin Hannah
The Four Winds follows Elsa through from her childhood as the unappreciated daughter of a wealthy family, as she meets and falls in love with a man they would never approve of, and comes to her own as she soaks up the knowledge of the farm and animals from her new family just before the dust bowl era struck and forced Elsa and her children West to California. This immersive and beautifully written story by Kristin Hannah brings life to this catastrophic period of American history and brings with it messages and lessons for the current destruction of our environment.
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
This award-winning memoir is a popular choice for book groups because of its themes of nature, American culture, and transformation. Wild chronicles Strayed’s ambitious (sometimes naive) adventure through the thousand plus mile Pacific Crest Trail after losing a parent, ending her marriage, and feeling desperate for a change.
Americana – Luke Healy
Much like Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, but as a graphic novel, Luke Healy’s Americana (And the Act of Getting Over It) also follows the author’s journey across the Pacific Crest Trail. Healy, though, is a visitor from Ireland and his beautiful graphic novel is full of charming illustrations and humorous commentary.