Every year, we create a beautiful page of the best books of the year -- the ones our staff and volunteers have loved. Whether you're a fan of picture books that celebrate bravery, suspense stories that keep you guessing, or guides to making the most delicious food, we have you covered. There are many great picks for Spanish readers, too.
Want to see what we've recommended in past years? Explore the links below:
Not sure where to begin, I skimmed through the volumes on poetry. I read quickly a few poems, tried to digest others, but it was his prose that truly beckoned me. I paused skimming midway through his oeuvre and read the first two short tales in depth. I knew then, as I do now, that I had found a literary gold mine because weeks later, I’m still digging through the Simple stories in volumes 7 and 8.
Originally published in the Chicago Defender from 1943 to 1965, the Simple stories read more like weekly columns on race relations in the U.S. The tales are narrated in a conversational form to engage readers on multiple levels. On one level, the stories are comical and reader-friendly, designed to show the human soul of Jesse B. Semple, or Simple as he is known, and draw the reader in. Readers get to see and feel Simple’s failures and successes as well as his frustrations and dreams. On another level, the stories portray the complex world that evolved in the Jim Crow era in a non-antagonizing way. Simple’s conversations with his bar buddy not only lured readers into the national dialogue over race, but they also engaged readers in a constructive conversation over racism—the ideological foundation that defined the racial boundaries of Simple’s life and, by extension, African Americans.
Though it has been sixty-five years since Langston Hughes published the first Simple stories in book form, the ideas in these tales still resonate. Racial progress has been made, but we still have a long way to go. Both fictional characters would probably nod their heads. Yes, over a cold beer. Still, such ideas, now more than ever, need to be part of a national discourse.
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*The library's copy is bilingual.
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Their work instead captures the immigrant experience as well as the second-generation Mexican-American experience, which are full of contradictions, complexities, and some happy endings. The stories of their fictional characters are not only mundane and exciting and surreal and real, but if we consider when they were first published in the 1980s, they were ahead of their time. -Memo P.
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Do you read Facebook or Twitter for news? Subscribe to a newspaper? Peruse websites, or watch videos? In an era of so many choices for information, how do you make a judgement about what's fact, what's slanted and what's just completely untrue?
Here are some tips for evaluating what you are reading, listening to or viewing.
For more about being a smart information consumer, check out the infographic, "How to Spot Fake News", provided by The International Federation of Library Associations. If you're more of a visual learner, take a look at the CRAAP test video from librarians at California State University. If you'd like to engage in some deeper learning, try this 3 hour online course, Check, Please!
And remember, if you're looking for reliable information, get in touch with us. We're always happy to help.
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Discover details of all the Corps members from this PBS site and this Discovering Lewis & Clark site.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
The Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery", as it eventually came to be called, was conceived by Thomas Jefferson. He was dedicated to exploration of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River and learning about the Native Americans who resided there. He wanted to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean and map the topography. Also, he expected the Corps to catalog the flora and fauna they encountered. On the Monticello web site read about Thomas Jefferson's part in funding and planning the Corp's work.
MERIWETHER LEWIS AND WILLIAM CLARK
President Jefferson chose his secretary Meriwether Lewis as the ideal candidate to captain the Corps. Lewis then chose his Co-Captain, William Clark. They had served in the military together and were an ideal team. Between them, they possessed the skills needed to face the challenges of their incredible journey.
TOUSSAINT CHARBONNEAU
Monsieur Charbonneau is not noted for his popularity with the rest of the Corps or his abilities as a member of the team...it appears that the only contribution of real value he provided was the interpreting services of his wife, Sacajawea. This description of Charbonneau makes it clear he was considered a sort of "necessary evil".
SACAJAWEA
There are many questions surrounding Sacajawea's story that have been controversial. One is the correct spelling/pronunciation of her name and another question is at what age and where did she die? My search for accurate information about these questions and others about Sacajawea led me to the descendants of her tribe of origin, the Lemhi Shoshoni. I found a site from the Sacajawea Interprative, Cultural, & Educational Center. Tim Woodward interviewed members of Sacajawea's birth tribe. The story of the kidnapping and slavery of Sacajawea and her marriage to Charbonneau make difficult reading. Her life as a member of the Corps of Discovery is but a small piece of her complex history. From the time she was kidnapped, Sacajawea's life was determined by people who were not interested in her happiness but in taking advantage of her talents. Sacajawea probably died due to an illness that may have resulted from the birth of her second child, a daughter named Lissette.
JEAN-BAPTISTE CHARBONNEAU (POMPEY)
Sacajawea gave birth to Jean-Baptiste during the first winter of the expedition when they were camped at Fort Mandan in North Dakota. William Clark was very fond of the toddler nicknamed "Pomp" or "Pompey". The landmark Pompey's Pillar was named after Pompey. After the expedition he was provided for by Clark, but never adopted by him. Jean-Baptiste spent time as an adult in Europe but eventually returned to the United States to take up a mountain man lifestyle similar to his father's. The man, who had traveled as a child on one of the greatest explorations of all time, died and is buried in Oregon.
YORK
York was William Clark's slave and belonged to him from the time both were children. His contributions to the success of the Corps were as valuable as any of the other members. In recent years, letters William Clark wrote to his brother reveal that he did not feel York's "services" with the Corps had any value. He didn't care that York wished to live close to his wife and refused to grant him his freedom. Clark told his brother that if York didn't improve his attitude he was going to loan him to a harsh master. The final years of York's life are detailed by the National Park Service. You can learn how York's position in the 1800's is typical of the complexities of the slave/owner relationship.
SERGEANT CHARLES FLOYD
Sgt. Floyd holds the dubious honor of being the only member of the Corps of Discovery to perish on the journey. This unhappy event took place soon after the Corps embarked on their Missouri River voyage. Flying at Sgt. Floyd's monument is a replica of the 15 star and 15 stripe flag he would have defended for the military. Visit his Sioux City memorial to learn what ended Sgt. Floyd's trek.
SEAMAN
Seaman was a Newfoundland dog and a valued member of the Corps of Discovery. He was purchased by Meriwether Lewis for $20 (about $400 in 1806), perhaps because he had webbed feet and much of the trip was intended to take place by pirogue. Seaman caught small game, entertained the expedition members and provided excellent service at guard duty. There are many theories about what became of Seaman. This version of Seaman's fate is intriguing...and it appears to be based on some historical evidence. Here is a great photo of a sculpture including Seaman which is located in Fort Clatsop National Park--he is paying very close attention to the flounder rather than his guard duty.
WHO WERE THE OTHER GUYS
The rest of the Corps included volunteer members of the U.S. Army and a handful of civilians. They were chosen for the skills they could contribute in carrying out the goals of the expedition and for keeping all members alive and safe.
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Discover some of the ancestors of peoples now living in modern day Mexico to Peru from these websites and books about the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans.
The British Museum in London has artifacts from around the world, representing people, places and cultures from the past two million years. Khan Academy has detailed information about the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans. Click on photos to find out more about that object and its importance.
Scroll down the page of The Civilizations of Ancient Mesoamerica to read about the history and culture of ancient Mexicans. Visit The World of the Ancient Mayans for more information.
Have fun exploring the Mesoamerican Ballgame -a sport of life and death. Check out the video below about the rubber balls used for the game and see an example of how a version of the game was played.
If you want or need more help, contact a librarian. We're just a click away!
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Long before white settlers arrived on the Oregon Trail, the Portland area was home to the Multnomah people, a band of the Chinook Tribe. One of their leaders was Chief Kiesno (sometimes spelled Cassino). Tragically, many of the native inhabitants of our area died from diseases brought by the Europeans.
John McLoughlin is often called the Father of Oregon. He moved to the area in 1824 and established Fort Vancouver just north of Portland. Later, his general store in Oregon City became the last stop on the Oregon Trail.
Abigail Scott Duniway is famous for fighting for women’s rights, especially the right to vote. After many tries, she finally succeeded in Oregon in 1912. Intriguingly, Abigail’s brother, Harvey Scott, editor of The Oregonian newspaper, was opposed to letting women vote.
McCants Stewart was the first African American lawyer in Portland and started a newspaper, The Advocate. Dr. DeNorval Unthank is well-known for his role in fighting for civil rights for African Americans and was named Doctor of the Year in 1958. A park in North Portland is named for him.
Some other famous Portlanders include children’s author Beverly Cleary, Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons), and Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike.
For more information on famous residents of Portland, visit the Oregon History Project’s biography page, or search the Oregon Encyclopedia.
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Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq, the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia made remarkable achievements in writing, art, and agriculture.
This Khan Academy video provides a short introduction. For older students, here’s a John Green Crash Course video with more details. You may also like this interactive map, which shows how Mesopotamian culture developed.
The University of Chicago has an amazing collection of artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, and at their website, you can examine them in depth, learn about what daily life was like, listen to interviews with archaeologists, or even go on a virtual archaeological dig.
At the British Museum’s Mesopotamia site, you can find maps and information about the writing, mythology, buildings, and astronomers from various Mesopotamian cultures.
Ancient Mesopotamia covers geography, religion, economics, and the government of Mesopotamian cultures.
Several different empires existed in region of Mesopotamia, including the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians. The Sumerians were known for inventing cuneiform writing. You can see what your monogram would look like in this writing system. They also wrote the first superhero story, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and played board games. One Babylonian ruler is famous for creating Hammurabi’s Code, a collection of laws. Ziggurats, large step pyramids like the one shown in the photo, were built by the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians.
If you didn’t find the information that you need, please contact a librarian for more assistance.
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The Golden Age of Islam spanned from the mid 8th to the mid 13th century A. D., although recent scholars have extended it into the 15th and 16th centuries. It encompasses the life of the prophet Mohammad and the beginnings of the Islamic religion. Islamic culture in Europe also influenced Western civilization. The Golden Age of Islamic Culture included many innovations in science, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, Hindu-Arabic numerals, and words. It was a time of inventions and exploration. The Golden Age ended with the siege of Baghdad in 1258 A.D. and with the rise of religious dogma, discussed here by Steven Weinberg and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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Attention educators! Did you miss our summer educator workshops this year? They are a great place to learn about the latest and greatest materials to use in the classroom. Don't worry; we now have booklists and videos available to share.
Gotta Read This: New Books to Connect with Your Curriculum: This workshop highlights new books you might integrate into your language arts, social studies, math, science and arts curriculum.
For K-5th grade educators: Watch part 1 and part 2 of the Gotta Read This K-5 recorded webinar, and peruse the list of the books we shared.
For 6th-12th grade educators: This booklist is broken down by subject, so you can choose the topics most relevant for you.
Novel-Ties (for 4th -8th grade educators): Discover hot, new fiction to use in book discussion groups and literature circles.
Watch the Novel-Ties videos (and feel free to show them to students, too).
Talking Equity and Social Justice: School Corps Librarian Cathy Camper shares quick booktalks on titles that address these topics, in these two recorded webinars. The talks are followed by Q & A, sharing tips for how educators can incorporate these topics. A list of all the books and other resources mentioned in the talk can be found below the videos on YouTube.
Contact School Corps with any questions!
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The Summer Reading program’s expansive reach is made possible thanks to the The Library Foundation, which last year helped the library connect with more than 145,000 children and adults. Gifts to The Library Foundation support programs, books, and literacy initiatives.
Some of the Summer Reading program’s success in this summer-like-no-other was reflected on Beanstack, the online reading engagement software that gave readers the flexibility to play the Summer Reading game entirely online. And some was thanks to virtual programs such as the popular weekly Science Explorers Club with artist and educator Jess Graff, Clownin' Around with Nikki Brown Clown, and Comedia para los Niños with Angel Ocasio.
In addition, library outreach services staff took Summer Reading to:
And, there’s more good news. Take a look at the numbers for Summer Reading 2020, and read about feelings shared by youth, parents and staff.
9,041: readers that successfully completed the Summer Reading program.
35,472: number of days read (at least) by youth who finished the Summer Reading program.
11,569: purchased books as prizes; plus, an additional 4,504 prize bundles.
Before the pandemic, the Summer Reading program attracted hundreds of volunteers, mostly youth, who would donate thousands of hours of time and help run the program throughout the summer. Even with library buildings closed, the library had 220 volunteers this year, primarily ages 10-19, who helped to promote the program remotely within their communities. "I am happy that the library is able to adapt and still have this program even through a pandemic." - Summer Reading 2020 volunteer
That closes this chapter of the Summer Reading Program. See you in summer 2021 — and keep reading!
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Antes del Día de Acción de Gracias, que este año será el jueves 26 de noviembre, queremos celebrar con ustedes la Herencia Nativo Americana al estilo Oregón. La tierra que pisamos todos los días, en una época, perteneció a varias tribus indígenas como las de Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla y más. Aunque mucho haya cambiado, les damos las gracias a estas personas por cuidar a la tierra para que la podamos disfrutar ahora.
Este año, una actividad que pueden hacer en sus familias es hablar sobre las cosas en nuestras vidas que nos inspiran tanto agradecimiento. Si tienen un poquito de tiempo extra, pueden escribirlo, dibujarlo o componer canciones simples para compartir entre familia.
Escrito por Violeta G.
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Hollywood movies and TV shows are full of stereotypes. To find the truth, you need to do good research.
When I start my search, I make a list of all the names I know that might be good to search. Many tribes have both their own name and an anglicized name (for example, Diné and Navajo) and it’s good to search under both. For more general searches, search multiple terms such as: Indian, Native American, First People or First Peoples,or try searching ”culture” and “indigenous” with the geographical area, for example American indigenous culture.
When doing online research on Native Americans I check not only what the website says, but who is providing the information. Techniques for Evaluating Native American Websites provides good tips on what to look for. Another website post with good information is Tips for Teachers: Developing instructional Materials about American Indians. Does the website present a view that the people it describes support? Is the information current? Does the information come from Native Americans themselves? Many new age sites and commercial websites that are trying to sell you something take Indian culture and rewrite it for their own needs. If the website is created by an institution like a museum, or government agency, remember that it might represent that institution’s perspective, but not necessarily the perspective of Native peoples.
When looking at historical issues of newspapers, like The Historical Oregonian I have to consider that many of those stories will include racism and one-sided views that were common at the time.”Historic Newspaper Accounts of Oregonian Native Americans” provides some good insight into the slant of these articles over time, both good and bad.
Need more help? Contact a librarian to be sure you get what you need.
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This video explores the integral role horses played in Nez Perce history and how they relate to the tribe’s culture today.
When researching Native Americans of Oregon, the Oregon Blue Book provides a good introduction to Oregon tribes, and has information on current tribal leaders and the economy of the tribe, plus an overview of the tribe’s history and culture.
Native Languages of Americas provides information about the original inhabitants of Oregon and includes a map of where they were located.
The Northwest Portland Area Health Board provides history and geographical information for the nine tribes that make up its membership. Click on the "Members" tab on the upper tool bar.
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians provides information about Oregon tribes and a list of links to their websites, plus information about natural resources, economic development and tribal government for the Cow Creek Band.
Access Genealogy contains an overview of the history Oregon tribes, and links to many tribes' individual websites.
You can also search the library’s catalog, or do an online search for a tribe’s name. Many tribes have their own websites, which contain current information about tribal affairs, and might also include historical material.
Many resources about Indigenous people include biased information, so please also read How to Evaluate Native American and American Indian Websites, which provides help evaluating books too.
If you still need more help, contact a librarian to be sure you get what you need.
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Searching for information on Native American tribes and Native nations? These big web sites may be able to help you.
Whose land are you on? Native Land is an interactive website and an app that allows you to search any location and see who are the original inhabitants of the land, worldwide. The website also features a blog with updates and a page for Territory Acknowledgements, with the ability to search specific locations to get tribal affiliation, language, and treaties associated with that area.
You can search tribes alphabetically to learn about them, and learn about native languages as well as native culture. Try putting the name of the tribe you are looking for in the search box to see what other information they list, or scroll down to find the names of tribes listed alphabetically.
If you would rather search by location using a map, you can find state-by-state information, covering historic and contemporary information, languages, culture and history.
Many resources about Indigenous people include biased information, so please also read How to Evaluate Native American and American Indian Websites, which provides help evaluating books too.
If you still need more help, contact a librarian to be sure you get what you need.
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Did you know that young children begin to notice and point out the differences they see in people as early as six months? This ability to put things into categories like "safe to eat" and "hungry animal to run away from" has helped humans survive over hundreds of thousands of years. But if we aren't paying attention, it can also lead to making oversimplified generalizations about people, and those stereotypes can be harmful.
Because even babies are starting to sort people into categories, it's never too early to start talking with children about the stereotyping they will observe in the world around them, and help them question and push back against it. Here are some ideas for talking about stereotypes in a very kid-friendly way:
These activities can be done any time of year. Here in the U.S, November is a time when we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving, which gives extra opportunities for non-Native families to talk about stereotypes specific to Native Americans and Indigenous people. For example, ask your child to draw a Native American dwelling or home. Talk about how most Native and Indigenous families live in houses and apartments. They are modern, vital people in our society, not just historical figures.
For some additional resources, I recommend this article about teaching preschool and kindergartners about Native and Indigenous peoples. You can also find info in this A Racial Justice Guide to Thanksgiving to help you tell the factual story of the holiday. We also have more book lists in this post Celebrating Native American Heritage month!
Like language, stereotyping is learned over time. It is never too early - or too late - to talk with children about kindness and fairness and diversity, and to demonstrate the many ways we can treat all people with respect and dignity.
This post is part of our "Talking with kids" series, and was featured in our monthly Family Newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter here, and email us at learning@multcolib.org if you have any questions.
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Did you know that the Indigenous peoples in Multnomah County are descended from over 380 different tribes? Nearly 70,000 strong, Portland has one of the highest urban Native populations in the country. In November, we celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native peoples, and honor the many important contributions they make to our communities. Here are some ways to celebrate and learn with the young people in your life!
Attend a program, class, or visit a museum exhibit. Many cultural events normally held in person have moved online.
Share stories and explore history and culture with your children all year long.
Adults and teens may enjoy the materials featured on the lists below:
Feel free to let us know if you need help placing holds or accessing your account. Subscribe to our Family Newsletter in English and Spanish for more on how the library can support home learning. We're here for you!
Multnomah County is sited upon the ancestral homelands of the Multnomah, Mollala, Kathlamet, Chinook, Clackamas, Tualatin Kalapuya and many other Indigenous Nations. These Nations have become the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, as well as the Chinook Nation and Cowlitz Nation in Washington State. Land acknowledgements recognize and respect the enduring relationship that Indigenous People have with their traditional homelands. The effects of colonization can still be felt today and land acknowledgements are a small step down the path of repair, reconciliation and cultural revitalization. Land Acknowledgement, courtesy of Melanie Fey, Central Library Access Services Assistant
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Gun rights and gun control are topics that come up often these days. It can be hard to find good resources that present multiple viewpoints on issues like this, and provide quotable sources.
An excellent electronic resource is Opposing Viewpoints in Context. It provides links to articles, videos and audio files from multiple viewpoints (you will need a library card # and password in order to access this electronic resource from outside of the library).
LawBrain covers the legal history of gun control back to the U.S. Constitution. Another good listing is Infoplease’s Milestones in Federal Gun Control Legislation which covers laws up until 2013.
L.A.R.G.O. Lawful and Responsible Gun Owners and the N.R.A. National Rifle Association both support gun ownership in America. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and The Violence Policy Center both work to reduce gun violence. The Violence Policy Center is also a good resource if you’re looking for statistics related to gun violence (including drive by shootings and suicide).
This Guardian article compares gun crime in individual states and FindLaw shares Oregon Gun Control Laws. FactCheck looks at statistics in the media after the Newton shootings, and reports on Gun Rhetoric vs. Gun Facts. Looking towards changes in the law, gun control is supported by more women than men, and that may have an effect on future legislation. But right now, despite repeated pleas for change after every mass shooting, nothing seems to change.
Need some specific gun facts or laws we haven’t covered? Contact a librarian and we’ll be glad to help
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For centuries, Europeans have explored places unfamiliar to them. The big push to explore happened from the 1400s to the 1600s and is known as the Age of Discovery or the Age or Exploration. Here are some sites that will help you learn more about individual explorers, the places they went, and the tools they used to get there.
For a broad website on exploration that includes biographies of explorers, information and illustrations ships and navigation tools, plus an interactive map showing voyages of the most ancient explorers through the 1920s, check out Exploration Through the Ages from the Mariners Museum. Here's another link to exploration info at the museum.
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