The Peabody Institute of Danvers not only has superhero graphic novels, but a growing collection of non-fiction titles. These books use sequential art to make complex topics more accessible. They work especially well with reluctant readers. Make no mistake; these books are complex, funny, and smart. Several of the titles have even made it onto our MCBA reading display!
The Massachusetts Children’s Book Award or MCBA was founded in 1975 by Dr. Helen Constant, with the mission to cultivate young readers. Children from grades four, five, and six are given a list of books. After reading five of them they vote for their favorite.
The MCBA is sponsored by Salem State University. You can find more information about the MCBA on the Salem State University In the Community Page.
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales
Nathan Hale (1755-1776) was a Revolutionary War officer hanged as a spy by the British. Hale is well known for his last words: “I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country”. With that famous utterance Nathan Hale is swallowed up by a massive history book and spat back out onto the gallows. Returning with knowledge of future historical events, Hale spins a series of tales to entertain his executioners and delay his imminent death. The Peabody Institute of Danvers has all seven books in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, with multiple copies of The Underground Abductor on the Children’s Room MCBA display.
After escaping a life of slavery Araminta Ross returns to free her people from bondage. Taking the name Harriet Tubman she smuggles slaves along the Underground Railroad. The Underground Abductor is an excellent biography on Harriet Tubman and the history of Slavery in the United States.
The Underground Abductor and the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series are available at the Peabody Institute of Danvers or through interlibrary loan. For Danvers residents eBook copies of The Underground Abductor are available through Overdrive and Hoopla Digital. If you need help setting up an eReader our reference staff is happy to help. To set up an appointment you can e-mail the reference department at danversref@noblenet.org, or give the library a call at 978-774-0554.
Science Comics
In the far future a disaster has clogged earth’s atmosphere. The planet has become a frozen wasteland with humanity scrapping for survival. Aurora is a young apprentice fuel mapper with big ideas. After coming across a book on volcanos she begins to plan how her people can escape the deadly cold. Science Comics Volcanos: Fire and Life uses a compelling dystopian narrative to explain how volcanos and the earth’s crust function.
The Peabody Institute of Danvers has all nine books in the Science Comics collection, with multiple copies of Science Comics Volcanos: Fire and Life on the Children’s Room MCBA display.
Volcanos: Fire and Life and the Science Comics series are available at the Peabody Institute of Danvers or through interlibrary loan. For Danvers residents an eBook copy of Volcanos: Fire and Life is available through Overdrive. If you need help setting up an eReader our reference staff is happy to help. To set up an appointment you can e-mail the reference department at danversref@noblenet.org, or give the library a call at 978-774-0554.