Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

While we are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy in some parts of the Northeast United States, I came across this book about the Ninth Ward New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.  Check it out  . . . 

Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleanes’ Ninth Ward. She doesn’t have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya’s visions show a powerful hurricane–Katrina–fast approaching, it’s up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm.
Ninth Ward is a celebration of resilience, love, family, and friendship, and a deeply emotional story of transformation.

Author's website - http://jewellparkerrhodes.com/children/books/ninth-ward/

P is for Pilgrim by Carol Crane

"Across the Atlantic Ocean,
a lone ship on a vast sea.
Ablaze with new hope,
all praying to be free."
From the lives of our early settlers, who established the foundations for American freedoms and ideals, to today's celebrations, "P is for Pilgrim" colorfully examines the history and lore of Thanksgiving. Educators will find the inclusion of the Core Democratic Values of valuable use for the classroom while kids of all ages will enjoy the bright, engaging illustrations and fascinating sidebar text.

And another - Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn : The Story of the Thanksgiving Symbols by Edna Barth
 The story of the most truly American holiday and the development of its symbols and legends.
Each of our holidays has its own familiar traditions: Trick-or-treating on Halloween, eating turkey on Thanksgiving, waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas, exchanging cards on Valentine's Day. But where do these customs come from, when did they begin, and why do we continue to observe them?
In the engaging blend of careful research and lively prose that has earned her books a lasting place on the holiday bookshelf, Edna Barth explores the multicultural origins and evolution of the familiar and not-so-familiar symbols and legends associated with our favorite holidays. Full of fascinating historical details and little-known stories, these books are both informative and engaging. Festively illustrated by Ursula Arndt, they are now available again in hardcover as well as paperback editions, featuring new, eye-catching jacket designs, and fun holiday activities inside the paperback covers. Each book includes an annotated list of holiday stories and poems and an index.

The Best Story Ever by Eileen Spinelli

The Red Brick Library was having a contest: Write the Best Story and Win First Prize! When the girl you will meet in this book sees that sign, she just knows she has to win this contest. But what makes a story the best? Should it be funny, sad or romantic? Should it be an action story? Writing is harder than she thought, but with a little help from her family and friends, this budding author is able to find her own best story.

Here is a complete summary and lesson plan to inspire writers - http://www.spokenartsmedia.com/StudyGuides/The%20Best%20Story.pdf

And of course - the author's site http://www.eileenspinelli.com/heart_001.htm
Check out her poem of the month - http://www.eileenspinelli.com/heart_009.htm