This post is part of a weekly series of synopses of children’s books, written by First Book staff members.

500 Words to Grow On, illustrated by Kristin Kest. A picture book that gives different pictures, and each picture is labeled appropriately. The pages are divided into categories, like: Country Words (with pictures of the sky, tree, hill, etc.) or Animal Words (with pictures of different animals). Grades K-2.


Island of the Blue Dolphin, by Scott O’Dell. Karana once lived with her family and other villagers on an island shaped like a dolphin. One day hunters came for the pelts of the sea otters who swam near their shores, and the conflict that followed changed the village forever. When the survivors fled the island, Karana was somehow left behind. This is the story of her survival, her courage and wit, and the natural beauty of the islands of the Pacific. Grades 3-4.


Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman. Eleven-year-old Lyra lives for adventure, and her wildest dreams come true when she sets off on a harrowing expedition to the Arctic. Her companions include a shape-shifting animal, a hot air balloon pilot, and a polar bear king. But her journey becomes dangerous as she discovers secrets she’s not meant to know, and she must rely on herself and her friends in order to survive. Grades 5-6.