Snow Books a.k.a. A Book List that Snow-Balled

Great summer reading: it will cool you off (all that ice!) and the storyline will give you the chills. ;-) A modern classic.

This book gives us a beautiful glimpse into a period of history that is generally mentioned only in passing in the majority of classrooms. But even more lovely is the insight it gives us into the strength, beauty and tenacity of women and the enduring nature of their relationships.

Another book about a man wrongfully accused of a crime, set during the 1950s (with many flashbacks to the 1940s) in the state of Washington — the racial tension dealt with here is between Japanese Americans and Whites. This book is a mystery, a courtroom drama, and a love story wrapped in one, but in essence it is a story of place. The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the aftermath once they returned to their homes is not a common literary subject, helping this book stand apart from the pack. The way in which we treat people who are different from us, regardless of the reason for doing so, leaves a lasting legacy that every so often may float back to the surface like a corpse.

Into the Himalayas with a writer and a biologist, both seeking the rarest of big cats, for different reasons. In that high-altitude Nirvana, Matthiessen learns he must also find peace within his home and family, back in America.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is my favorite poem. The mood of quiet evening and snowfall as a blank canvas, the poet considers what he might do if he didn't have "promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." Beautiful, hopeful, yet poignant and melancholy.

I think this is destined to be a classic. You'll think differently about pizza delivery after this.

This is a very funny book, and there's way more information about snowmen around than you would think. Lots of illustrations, especially of the Victorian era, but my favorite is a painting of a 1500s snowball fight.

A little boy has a fun day playing in the snow, and even tries to keep a snowball in his coat pocket inside! A strikingly beautiful 1963 Caldecott Medal winner.