But Grandma’s no-nonsense memories are far different from Grandpa’s tall tales.Ĭhinatown. Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, illustrated by Boris KulikovĪ flying goat, buttons the size of sleds, and a castle on Hester Street are some of the widely imaginative stories Julie’s grandpa tells her about his journey from Russia to New York many years ago.Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen. She didn’t know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast. Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. When Clara arrived in America, she couldn’t speak English.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

What’s a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights-in stars that can be seen for a change-and so many neighbors it’s like a block party in the sky! The TV shuts off and a boy wails, “Mommm!” His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can’t work on her computer, and Dad can’t finish cooking dinner. One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The cooks whip up tantalizing dishes for hungry patrons. But when the customers arrive, Kum Kau really comes alive. Then chop, chop, chop, they slice and dice the fresh meat and vegetables.

The cooks clean the kitchen from top to bottom. Big Jimmy’s Kum Kau Chinese Take Out by Ted LewinĮven before Kum Kau Chinese Take Out opens, there’s so much to do.Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America-the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade. How darling is this mixed media collage? Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

The Cobbler's Boy by Elizabeth Bear