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Books Set in the 1960s

Books Set in the 1960s

Websites

Fiction

Countdown Countdown (1962)
Wiles, Deborah
jFIC WIL
Franny Chapman just wants some peace. But that’s hard to get when her best friend is feuding with her, her sister has disappeared, and her uncle is fighting an old war in his head. Her saintly younger brother is no help, and the cute boy across the street only complicates things. Worst of all, everyone is walking around just waiting for a bomb to fall. It’s 1962, and it seems the whole country is living in fear.
Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam (1960s)
Kadohata, Cynthia
jFIC KAD
Trained to sniff out bombs and traps, Cracker the German Shepherd is prepared for action in Vietnam, but when she is teamed up with Rick, a young man whose family doubts he can handle infantry life, the new soldier must find a way to build trust between the two so that they can do their jobs well and make it back alive. A Junior Library Guild selection
Dead End in Norvelt Dead End in Norvelt (1962)
Gantos, Jack
jFIC GAN
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.
Newbery Medal winner 2012
Criss Cross Criss Cross (1960s)
Perkins, Lynne Rae
jFIC PER
Teenagers in a small town in the 1960s experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities, connect, and disconnect as they search for the meaning of life and love. Newbery Medal Winner 2006
Gentle’s Holler Gentle’s Holler (1960s)
Madden, Kerry
jFIC MAD
In the early 1960s, twelve-year-old songwriter Livy Two Weems dreams of seeing the world beyond the Maggie Valley, North Carolina, holler where she lives in poverty with her parents and eight brothers and sisters, but understands that she must put family first. Young Hoosier Book Award, 2008-2009, 6-8 Nominee
Glory Be Glory Be (1964)
Scattergood, Augusta
jFIC SCA
In the summer of 1964 as she is about to turn twelve, Glory’s town of Hanging Moss, Mississippi, is beset by racial tension when town leaders close her beloved public pool rather than desegregating it.
Kaleidoscope Eyes Kaleidoscope Eyes (1968)
Bryant, Jennifer
jFIC BRY
In 1968, with the Vietnam War raging, thirteen-year-old Lyza inherits a project from her deceased grandfather, who had been using his knowledge of maps and the geography of Lyza’s New Jersey hometown to locate the lost treasure of Captain Kidd. A Junior Library Guild selection
Kizzy Ann Stamps Kizzy Ann Stamps (1963)
Watts, Jeri Hanel
jFIC WAT
Taking things in stride is not easy for Kizzy Ann, but with her border collie, Shag, at her side, she sets out to live a life as sweet as syrup on cornbread.
Neil Armstrong is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me Neil Armstrong is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me (1969)
Marino, Nan
jFIC MAR
Frustrated with ten-year-old Muscle Man McGinty constantly telling lies, Tamara dreams of the day when it all catches up to him and the entire town sees him for who he is, but when an incredible event takes place in the summer of 1969, Tamara gains a new sense of spirit towards her fellow man that alters her outlook on life in the most surprising way.
One Crazy Summer One Crazy Summer (1968)
Williams-Garcia, Rita
jFIC WIL
In the summer of 1968, after traveling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp. Young Hoosier Book Award, 2012-2013, 4-6 Nominee. A Junior Library Guild selection
The Rock and the River The Rock and the River (1968)
Magoon, Kekla
jFIC MAG
In 1968 Chicago, fourteen-year-old Sam Childs is caught in a conflict between his father’s nonviolent approach to seeking civil rights for African Americans and his older brother, who has joined the Black Panther Party. 2010 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award; 2010 ALA Notable Books for Children
Sources of Light Sources of Light (1962)
McMullan, Margareth
jFIC MCM
Fourteen-year-old Samantha and her mother move to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962 after her father is killed in Vietnam, and during the year they spend there Sam encounters both love and hate as she learns about photography from a new friend of her mother’s and witnesses the prejudice and violence of the segregationists of the South. Young Hoosier Book Award, 2012-2013, 6-8 Nominee
This Means War This Means War (1962)
Wittlinger, Ellen
jFIC WIT
In 1962, when her best friend Lowell begins to hang around new friends who think girls are losers, Juliet, a fearful fifth-grader, teams up with bold, brave Patsy who challenges the boys to a series of increasingly dangerous contests.
A Thousand Never Evers A Thousand Never Evers (1963)
Burg, Shana
jFIC BUR
As the civil rights movement in the South gains momentum in 1963–and violence against African Americans intensifies–the black residents, including seventh-grader Addie Ann Pickett, in the small town of Kuckachoo, Mississippi, begin their own courageous struggle for racial justice. Young Hoosier Book Award, 2011-2012, 6-8 Nominee
Twerp Twerp (1960s)
Goldblatt, Mark
jFIC GOL
Returning after a week-long suspension from his 1960s Queens school, Julian accepts an offer from his English teacher to keep a journal and writes about the incident, which involved blowing up homemade fireworks, maintaining his record as the fastest kid in school and writing a disastrous love letter for a friend.
Uncle Andy's Uncle Andy’s (1962)
Warhola, James
jE WAR
The author describes a trip to see his uncle, the soon-to-be-famous artist Andy Warhol, and the fun that he and his family had on the visit.
War & Watermelon War & Watermelon (1969)
Wallace, Rich
jFIC WAL
As the summer of 1969 turns to fall in their New Jersey town, twelve-year-old Brody plays football in his first year at junior high while his older brother’s protest of the war in Vietnam causes tension with their father.
The Watson's Go to Birmingham--1963 The Watson’s Go to Birmingham–1963 (1963)
Curtis, Christopher Paul
jFIC CUR
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963. Newbery Honor Book; Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book, 1996
The Wednesday Wars The Wednesday Wars (1967)
Schmidt, Gary D.
jFIC SCH
During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker’s classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns much of value about the world he lives in.
Yankee Girl Yankee Girl (1964)
Rodman, Mary Ann
jFIC R693y
When her FBI-agent father is transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1964, eleven-year-old Alice wants to be popular but also wants to reach out to the one black girl in her class in a newly-integrated school.

MUSIC

Blowin' in the Wind Bob Dylan Puff the Magic Dragon Waking Up is Hard to Do Yellow Submarine
Max Said Yes The Woodstock Story Elvis Jimi : sounds like a rainbow : a story of the young Jimi Hendrix The Beatles were fab (and they were funny)

CDs

Peter, Paul & Mommy All You Need is Love All Together Now Bedtime with the Beatles
Kidz Bop sings the Beatles

Art

Sandy's circus : a story about Alexander Calder Fabulous a Portrait of Andy Warhol

Sports

Twelve rounds to glory : the story of Muhammad Ali Wilma unlimited : how Wilma Rudolph became the world's fastest woman You never heard of Sandy Koufax?! Clemente!

History

Marching for freedom : walk together, children, and don't you grow weary March on! : the day my brother Martin changed the world Freedom on the Menu Sit In
To the Mountaintop Miles to Go to Freedom The 1960s The 1960s
The 1960s Decade in Photos The 1960s Mods and Hippies The 1960s from the Vietnam War to Flower Power We March
We've got a job : the 1963 Birmingham Children's March I Have a Dream The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Vietnam War
César : sí, se puede! = yes, we can! Jack's path of courage : the life of John F. Kennedy Mission Control This is Apollo Moonshot the Flight of Apollo 11
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Dog Diaries – Secrets of the WOOF Society – Pike

Dog Diaries – Secrets of the WOOF Society – Pike

Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society

At the first annual meeting of WOOF–Words of Our Friends–assorted dogs preserve their heritage by sharing tales of canines throughout history, including Abu, who ruled all of Egypt except for one pesky cat, and Zippy, who simply must find the squeaky toy.

Have you ever noticed how many dog books are sad? I decided to sniff out one that wasn’t, and dug up a dog story about dogs telling stories. The WOOF Society (Words of our Friends) have gotten together to share stories about dogs AND prove that they more much more than “sit” and “stay.” They begin their first meeting by reciting their motto, “Woof! Woof! Woof!” Then dogs begin to tell stories of other dogs. Jack, whose person is an archaeologist, tells the story of Abu, the dog who was the king of Egypt. Einstein, who is very smart, explains why dog names are so important. Mimi just gives dog tips (to get table food without begging, sit beside the baby). I cannot promise that nothing sad happens, but the dogs are all OK! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Recommended By: Doriene Smither – Pike Branch

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The Little Secret – Outreach

The Little Secret – Outreach

The Little Secret

When she is invited to her new friend’s home for summer vacation, eleven-year-old Jane discovers that Staffa and her family are not what they seem to be. Author: Shane Peacock

Evil queens, kindly princes, and best friends are what you will find in this book. A story to lose yourself in a magical world that needs the help of a not so ordinary girl. What would you do if your new best friend turns out to be from a magical realm? And she has just tricked you into leaving your home so you might help save her world from an evil queen . Would you stay and help or demand to be returned to your family? If you stay it will be dangerous and you might never get back. If you leave your new best friend, your first truly best friend, will surely see her world destroyed and loved ones lost forever.

Recommended By: Barbara Obergfell – Outreach Services

More books about kids entering the world of fairies:

Small Persons With Wings Rise of the Darklings
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The Vengekeep Prophecies

The Vengekeep Prophecies

Jaxter was born to steal. Seriously. His family is good at it and he’s learned from the best. The Grimjinx family knows how to swindle, forge, heist, pickpocket and burgle. It’s their way.

But just because you are BORN to steal, just because you have been taught HOW, doesn’t mean you are GOOD at it. Jaxter has butterfingers. He’s clumsy. Frankly, he’s not that interested. What he DOES know though, is plants. Yes, plants, but not just ANY plants, magic-resistant plants. In the world he lives in, knowing how to resist bad magic is an important skill. When the fate of his family, even his whole town, rests on his shoulders, Jaxter uses his head and relies on his friends to think his way out of a prophecy that seems destined to predict their demise.

A laugh outloud, unpredictable journey across a magical land full of memorable characters and original magical creatures, powers and rules. Author: Brian Farrey

Coming October 22, 2013 – Book #2: The Shadowhand Covenant

Here are some more books that do a great job of creating a world like you’ve never seen before and filling it with memorable characters you want to cheer for:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Beyonders A World Without Heroes Emerald Atlas Happenstance Found
Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes 100 Cupboards Dormia The Lost Conspiracy
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The Kentucky Derby May 4: Author Short Story Writing Bet

The Kentucky Derby May 4: Author Short Story Writing Bet

The Big Red Horse: the Story of Secretariat and the Loyal Groom Who Loved Him

The Kentucky Derby will be run on May 3 and May 4, 2013 in Chruchill Downs, Kentucky. It is a two minute horse race that happens every year on the first Saturday in May. The horses racing are the world’s top 20 3-year-old throughbreds. The horses race 1 1/4 miles around a track.

And you know what else? Fashion matters. Seriously. Read about the clothes rules for people who are there just to watch.

Four authors: Catherine Ryan Hyde, Kimberly Pauley, Andrew Smith & Brian Farrey, author of The Vengekeep Prophecies, have a bet with each other about which horse will win The Kentucky Derby. The winner of the bet does not have to write a story but all of the losers have to write a story based on a topic given to them by one of the other authors. Check back after the Derby and we’ll add the stories for 2013.

While you are waiting, here are the stories that resulted from the 2012 Kentucky Derby bet:

Websites:

Books:

The Kentucky Derby The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby: the Story of Kimmy Winkfield The Black Stallion's Filly Racing Horses
I Rode the Red Horse Secretariat's Belmont Race How-to Horseback Riding Learn to Draw Horses and Ponies Horses Explore and Draw
I Love to Draw Horses Horse Crafts
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