Getting Ready for the Big Day-- Inauguration

An important day in our nation's history is coming up-- the inauguration of Barack Obama. I thought you'd might be interested in books surrounding the historic event:

Barack Obama by Stephen Feinstein
An elementary biography of United States senator from Illinois Barack Obama; discusses his childhood, ethnic background, family, and career in politics. For Grades 1-2. For older kids, you might want to check out Barack Obama: Working to Make a Difference. For Grades 2-3.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes

When David asks his mother about the man on television, she tells him the story of Barack Obama, discussing his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, his parents' divorce, and his desire to help others.

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

When Grace discovers that there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run for school president. It has a simplistic explanation of the electoral college. A great book for Pre-1st graders.

If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier

Discusses the presidential election process. For Pre-1st graders.

Also don't forget that Martin Luther King Jr. day is coming up. Here are some newer books about him:

...If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine

A different time...a different place...What if you were there? If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King, you would have seen important changes brought about by the civil rights movement.

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris

From Dr. Martin Luther King's sister, the definitive tribute to the man, the march, and the speech that changed a nation.

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson

The story of two icons for social justice, how they formed a remarkable friendship and turned their personal experiences of discrimination into a message of love and equality for all.

Also please join us for Silicon Valley Reads 2009:

Brian Copeland, Bay Area broadcast personality and author of Not a Genuine Black Man, will appear on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30 at the Palo Alto High School Haymarket Theater. Click here to find out more about other events in this program.