Now Available. A New Book by Nancy Bo Flood: No-Name Baby

Sophie remembered last night’s dream and the gray stones-a whole row of them like the ones under the trees. Each stone was etched with letters that she couldn’t quite read.

No-Name Baby is an intimate portrait of a young girl as she discovers the truth about herself and her family.

Warriors in the Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood

Young Adult Historical Novel

Warriors in the Crossfire looks at one boy’s experience of impending war – war fought by two nations, Japan and the U.S. – on the Pacific island of Saipan. The island’s families are caught in the crossfire of invasion. In order to survive, Joseph, the main character, must find a new understanding of being a warrior.

This novel provides a historical perspective on American involvement in the Pacific front during WWII, an aspect of American history seldom represented in children’s literature.

Warriors addresses important themes regarding survival of heart and spirit when family and culture are under attack. The novel is created through narrative but also includes verse and kanji, Japanese elements of writing.

ISBN #1590786610

Buy an electronic version of Warriors in the Crossfire at Namelos.com

Reviews

Quote by Ellen Levine, award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books for children, including: Catch a Tiger By the Toe, a Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, and Henry’s Freedom Box, a Caldecott honor book:

“Nancy Bo Flood reveals for us a world rarely spotlighted – the “other side” of the story of the World War II battle for Saipan. She tells a riveting tale, never skirting tough issues of mixed loyalties, if and when to ignore authority, and family ties that bind or don’t. This is history that is gripping, enlightening and engaging.”

Quote by author Janet Fox, when asked what books she is an evangelist for:

“…Nancy Bo Flood’s Warriors in the Crossfire – the cover does not express what is going on inside that magnificent little book.”

New review from youngest reader: 6-year old Liam Weil met with me in Hawaii to say:

“I read all of Warriors in the Crossfire and the best part was when the family was safe in the caves. Some parts were scary.”

Liam’s grandmother, the late Nancy Weil, who fought long and hard against cancer, was the first person to read the rough first pages of Warriors and encourage me to keep writing. “This story needs to be told,” she nodded. Fifteen years later her grandson is reading those same pages.

Every child needs to see their own people and their own experiences in the books they read: yet in the United States less that 5% of children’s books published are written by or about Native Americans.

All young people need books that describe contemporary children who are Native American, not just historical accounts as though Indian children lived “past tense”, only a long time ago. The following books have “real” characters and engaging stories that include traditional celebrations continued in contemporary ways – with food, family, dance.

Read the full post at PaperTigers.org

Salina Bookshelf
ISBN #1893354970

The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built by Nancy Bo Flood is scheduled to be released in 2012.

This children’s picture book tells the story of one multigenerational Navajo family that works, plays, eats, sleeps and shares their lives together in around their family hogan.

It is a charming story of how the youngest children’s lives are intrinsically linked to their home and family.

Illustrations by Petersen Yazzie, Navajo Artist

Pre-Order

Sand to Stone and Back Again by Nancy Bo Flood
Photos by Tony Kuyper

2009 – Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN #1555916570

The landscape of the desert Southwest sports a wide variety of shapes, colors, and textures. Natural forces have left behind a diverse topography that dazzles the eye and kindles the imagination.

Secrets of Sand to Stone takes readers on a journey through time to understand how this present day scenery is the result of many forces and great change over long periods of time.

The narrative is complimented by full-color photographs and line art that depict the processes that have occurred and that showcase the spectacular formations that exist today.

Along with the geological journey, the book also describes how change is part of the human journey. The beauty of natural change becomes a metaphor for the splendor of the human experience.

Written for readers age 6 through 12, Secrets of Sand to Stone uses words and images to impart and understanding of how change creates beauty.

Reviews

“Be sand. Be sandstone. Nancy Bo Flood uses poetic language to explore geology and beauty. Sand to Stone and Back Again is a wonderful read aloud to introduce and expand on classroom studies of geology, particularly the rock cycle. Tony Kuyper’s photos of desert southwest rock formations are stunning.” – April Pulley Sayre

“This small paperback book, designed to help kids understand the circular process of the creation and erosion of desert sandstone, does so in a big way. Flood’s text, written from the perspective of the sandstone, draws readers in, as do the luscious photos. Readers of all ages will be awed by nature’s breathtaking beauty, and humbled by the ongoing beat of life. The kid-friendly glossary will surely spark conversation between adults and young readers, as well as ignite a passion for the health of the planet.” – Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

The Navajo Year,
Walk Through Many Seasons

Salina Bookshelf
ISBN #1893354067

For the Navajo people, the new year begins in October, when summer meets winter.

The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons follows the Navajo calendar, and provides poetic descriptions of the many sights, sounds, and activities associated with each month.

Startling and realistic illustrations by the Navajo artist, Billy Whitethorne.

“… truly lovely verbal descriptions… The desert landscape comes alive with bright, stunning colors.” – School Library Journal

Follow Coyote throughout the year in this beautiful and poetic award-winning picture book, and explore how the Navajo observe the rites and passages of each month.

2007 Children’s Choice Award

2007 Notable Children’s Social Studies Trade Book

From the Mouth of the Monster Eel: Stories from Micronesia

Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN #1555912451

How can Bikar outwit the great monster eel? What happens to the disobedient Sirena? Beautifully complemented by Margo Vitarelli’s rhythmic woodcuts, these magical retellings of adventure, creation, and courage give readers of all ages a delightful glimpse of island folklore.

Bess Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1999
ISBN #978-1-57306-084-4 Hardcover
ISBN #978-1-57306-078-3 Paperback

A collection of 43 traditional or historic legends from the Pacific.

Pacific Island Legends: Tales from Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia is a spell-binding collection of traditional and historical stories from the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. These stories, adapted from a variety of sources and retold in an easy-reading style, will capture and hold the attention of readers of all ages. Creation myths, myths of origin, adventures of gods and heroes, kings and queens, naughty children, husbands and wives – all illustrate the relationship of the people to the islands, the ocean, and each other.

“Woodcut illustrations are beautifully rendered and culturally evocative… given the quality and scope of the work, this is an admirable collection.” – The School Library Journal

Purchase

Bess Press, Hawaii
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-57306-101-8
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-57306-102-5

Marianas Island Legends: Myth and Magic is a collection of stories, poems, and oral histories contributed by people of all ages living in Guam and the Commonweath of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The culture of history of these beautiful Pacific islands is celebrated in retellings of traditional myths and legends of the Chamorro and Carolinian people, folklore and historical tales, and descriptions of present-day arts, customs, and beliefs.

Lovely woodcut illustrations enhance the selections throughout.

Compiled by Bo Flood and illustrated by Connie Adams, this anthology of myths from the middle of the Pacific Ocean offers a rare and delightful glimpse into the oral history of the Marianas Islands.

Bess Press, Hawaii
ISBN: 978-1-57306-129-2 Hardcover
ISBN #978-1-57306-124-7 Paperback

Collaboratively complied by Nancy Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong, and William Flood, Micronesian Legends is a collection of seventy fables, folklore, and legends drawn from island cultures.

Sharp, intense black-and-white illustrations by Connie J. Adams pepper these brief yet fascinating tales of great loves, heroes, villains and cruel fate. An amazing and exciting read which illuminates Micronesian cultures and traditions in a “reader friendly” format especially recommended for young adults and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in multicultural legends and folklore.

Micronesian Legends is enhanced with an impressive bibliography, making it a welcome and valued addition to any academic reference collection or supplemental studies reading list.
-James A. Cox, Wisconsin Bookwatch