Children's Nonfiction -

CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Christine Petersen has authored more than forty educational nonfiction books for readers in grades K-12. She works with respected publishers including Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, Children's Press and Franklin Watts (imprints of Scholastic Library Publishing), ABDO, Rosen, Cherry Lake, and Mitchell Lane. Christine is available to write stand-alone titles or series. She specializes in topics related to science, health, and social studies, but is always willing to consider new themes and intriguing projects.

Christine is currently short-listed for the 2012 Green Earth Book Award, presented by the Newton Marasco Foundation in honor of a book that "encourages the concept of environmental stewardship and the importance of the role each of us play in nurturing, protecting, and defending our environment." Science Books & Films, a trade publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), has recognized four of Christine's books as Best Books on its annual list of "highly recommended resources from the previous year," and her books are consistently well received by review journals such as Booklist and School Library Journal.

A complete listing of Christine's published books can be found below. Also visit her page at Jacketflap, an online community for children's book authors and illustrators.

Contact her at christine@christinepetersen.com

RECENT NEWS ABOUT CHRISTINE'S WORK

December 2011
• Preserving the Living Earth was short-listed for the 2012 Green Book Award, presented by the Newton Marasco Foundation
• Booklist and School Library Journal recommended Colonial People, series 2.

May 2011
• The Printer was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection.

March 2011
• Christine appeared on the radio show "Through the Eyes of Women," from Arcata, California station KHSU (show available online through early April)
• Rosie the Riveter is profiled in the blog "The Children's War"

2009
Christine's book Solar Power was selected as a teaching tool for the program Read Across America: A Solar-Powered Educational Tour.
   → In the autumn of 2009 William Grote embarked on a remarkable adventure: a cross-country ride on a vehicle aided by a solar-powered battery. Along the way he stops at schools to talk about solar power and sustainability. Donors can use William's website to purchase copies of Christine's book or others for donation to schools along his path.

2006
The RnE2EW program used Christine's elementary-level environmental series to develop curricula about renewable energy.
   → RnE2EW was formed through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Midwest Research Institute, and BP America. The program offers lesson plans, teacher education, and research internships that promote education about renewable energy. RnE2EW curriculum based on Christine's books is available at:
    Alternative Energy
    Solar Power
    Wind Power and Water Power

2005
• Science Books & Films selected three of Christine's books--Solar Power, Water Power, and Wind Power—as Best Books for Children (Engineering category).
   → SB&F is a review journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The Best Books are chosen as "a comprehensive list of highly recommended books, DVDs, and software for children and young adults reviewed over the previous year. Our readers have come to rely on these lists as a definitive guide to the best science resources available for the library and classroom."

2004
Science Books & Films honored Christine's book Vertebrates as a Best Book for Young Adults (Zoological Sciences category).

PRAISE FOR CHRISTINE'S WORK

Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccines and Vaccinations
(In FAQ Teen Life series, from Rosen Classroom)

"Vaccines and Vaccinations is a definitive book on inoculations against diseases.... presents both sides of a complex public health topic that affects every child in a direct, clear style that is easy to understand." –Midwest Book Review

Environment at Risk
(series from Marshall Cavendish Benchmark)

"This rewarding series provides extensive coverage of compelling environmental issues. The comprehensive discussions include historical background and information on scientific advances, social progress, and legislation, interspersed with facts and figures.... Providing some unforgiving data and bleak predictions, the books encourage readers to use these as a wake-up call and act. A valuable, succinct series." –School Library Journal

"Recommended." –Library Media Connection

"This thought-provoking book for youth shows the need for urgent action on our part." –Skipping Stones

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE 2012 GREEN BOOK AWARD FROM THE NEWTON MARASCO FOUNDATION

Colonial People
(series from Marshall Cavendish Benchmark)

Series 1 (Fall 2010):
The Printer, The Apothecary, The Surveyor, The Blacksmith

"Kids will be fascinated at this detailed look at the webmasters of the past." –Junior Library Guild review of The Printer

"Each title in this well-written and appealing series opens with a chapter of background on the featured trade and its necessity to Colonial life, followed by chapters that describe how the tradesman lived and worked. The books close with a look at the worker’s importance in his community and the evolution of his trade or its significance in early America... making these books strong choices." –School Library Journal

"The books in the 'Colonial People' series each contain nearly fifty pages of history, offering a focus by different colonial jobs to provide lively daily life surveys. Christine Petersen's THE SURVEYOR, THE PRINTER, THE BLACKSMITH, and THE APOTHECARY... all provide keys to understanding Colonial life and times." –Midwest Book Review

"...an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who aspire to their unique specialty.... Highly recommended." –Library Media Connection

Series 2 (Fall 2011):
The Glassblower, The Miller, The Tanner,
The Tailor

"...these lively texts and colorful reproductions and photos will engage casual readers and researchers alike. Petersen explain[s] how the fledgling nation related to Europe, Africa, and the American Indians. Tracing the history of each trade... and mentioning major historical figures provides a deeper understanding of the importance of the different professions." –School Library Journal

"The Colonial People series brings immediacy to the lives of early settlers by viewing a skilled tradesperson's role in his or her community at large." –Booklist

Rock On!: A Look at Geology
(series from ABDO Publishing)

"[Mighty Minerals is a] perfect introduction for the young student interested in minerals and geology..." –Children's Literature

"An important moment in the history of geology or a fictional child’s encounter with the world of rocks serves as a lively opener in these titles, and is followed by clear information on related science and scientists." –School Library Journal

"From the "Rock On! A Look at Geology" series, [Super Soils]... turns to reader involvement and offers a way to examine and experiment with soil. This technique is sure to generate interest for further reading about topics such as soil as a natural resource, how soil is formed, how soil is moved, and how the circle of life works for soil when it comes to bacteria and decay.... This book and others in the series offer an excellent way to supplement science lessons and to get students interested in learning more about geology." –Children's Literature

Trees
(series: Plants, from Cherry Lake Publishing)

"...the author does an excellent job of explaining concepts at an age-appropriate level. Also impressive is the quality of a number of extension activities incorporated throughout the books. Many of these activities promote spending time with a parent, encourage going outside and observing the natural world, deal with safety around some plants, involve supervised research using the Internet, encourage hypothesizing, and foster thinking critically." –School Library Journal

Does Everyone Have ADHD? A Teen's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment

"This well-planned, comprehensive guide helps the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) student understand and adapt to ADHD.” –Voice of Youth Advocates

“…this book seriously addresses the issue of ADHD, covering a variety of topics including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, and treatment options.” –School Library Journal

“Recommended.” –Library Media Connection

Solar Power, Wind Power, Water Power and Alternative Energy
(in True Books series, from Children's Press)

BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2004 (Engineering category) –Science Books & Films

"As the demand for energy continues to escalate, these books can help students familiarize themselves with ideas on how wind, the sun, and water were used as energy sources and how they could be used in their lifetimes." –Science Books & Films

"Petersen provides readers with a lucid picture of the sun and wind as natural forces … a fine addition to the True Book stable.” –Booklist

"With a combination of simple explanation and significant information, Christine Petersen examines the nature of wind and how it has been harnessed for our energy needs beginning with Egyptian boating 7,000 years ago.... The wealth of information provided and the manner in which it is presented while keeping it entirely age-appropriate is so outstanding here that I found myself compelled to reject another publisher's 2004 book on wind power (while working on collection development) because it suffered so badly in comparison from reading it after enjoying this one." –Richie's Picks: Great Books for Children and Young Adults," http://www.richiespicks.com/

"[Solar Power] is an excellent choice because it reaches beyond the explanation of solar power. Petersen also explains that the sun is essential for all life and even to the formation of fossil fuels." –Greentimes, a publication of The Urban Ecology Institute

Alternative Energy and Solar Power listed as two of the "Top 5 Books for Kids" in About.com's Hybrid Cars and Alternative Fuels category

Rosie the Riveter
(in Cornerstones of Freedom series, from Franklin Watts)

"...a wonderful addition to an upper elementary library." –The Lorgnette- Heart of Texas Reviews

"Four stars."
–Abby the Librarian (children's library blogger)

The Iran-Contra Scandal
(in Cornerstones of Freedom series, from Franklin Watts)

“Petersen makes a complex tangle of secret activities clear enough for students to understand, spelling out who did what and why as well as who knew what was going on, with evidence worthy of a detective thriller.” –School Library Journal

Vertebrates and Invertebrates

BEST JUNIOR HIGH AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS 2003 (Zoological Sciences category) –Science Books & Films

“[Vertebrates] is a great research resource for classrooms and libraries.” –Science Books & Films

"The initial chapter of [Invertebrates] is ... quite remarkable in its conciseness. Various structural, functional, and behavioral features of the "major" metazoan phyla, plus ribbon worms and rotifers, are described ... in a brief but engaging way, using imaginative analogies ... catchy phrases ... and other devices that should be meaningful and interesting to young readers." –Science Books & Films

“The texts are concisely written, logically organized, and relatively free of scientific jargon, and Petersen never talks down to her readers.” –Booklist

"Recommended." –Library Media Connection

“…a surprisingly in-depth look at the two main branches of the animal kingdom … with enough weird and icky detail to draw in even the reluctant reader. These books are not items that will fly off the bookshelf but will patiently wait for the report writer, the presentation giver, or the extra credit seeker to discover the wealth of information contained within.” –VOYA

The Atlantic Ocean
(in True Books series, from Children's Press)

"...[a] gem of a book...” –School Library Journal

FOR RELEASE IN 2012

Benchmark Books
Colonial People series
   The Wheelwright
Dangerous Drugs series
   Inhalants
   Vicodin and OxyContin

EARLIER PUBLICATIONS

Benchmark Books (2011):
Environment at Risk series
   Preserving the Living Earth (short-listed for the 2012 Green Earth Book Award)
Colonial People series
   The Tanner
   The Glassblower
   The Miller
   The Tailor
Rosen Central (2011):
Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccines and Vaccinations (FAQ Teen Life series)
Benchmark Books (2010):
Colonial People series
   The Printer
   The Blacksmith
   The Surveyor
   The Apothecary
Environment at Risk series
   Protecting Earth's Food Supply
   Controlling Earth's Pollutants
   Renewing Earth's Waters
   Earth's Changing Climate
Rosen Central (2010):
South Dakota: Past and Present
Mitchell Lane Publishers (2010):
A Project Guide to Earth's Waters
A Project Guide to Mammals
ABDO Publishing Company (2010):
Fantastic Fossils
Groovy Gems
Mighty Minerals
Outrageous Ores
Rockin' Rocks
Super Soils
Cherry Lake Publishing (2008):
Flowers
Plants Need Sunlight
Trees
Plants We Eat
Franklin Watts (2006):
Does Everyone Have ADHD? A Teen’s Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
The Microscope
Children’s Press (2005):
Rosie the Riveter
The Iran-Contra Scandal
Children’s Press (2004):
Solar Power
Wind Power
Water Power
Alternative Energy
Conservation
Land Preservation
Franklin Watts (2002):
Vertebrates
Invertebrates
Children’s Press (2001), with David Petersen:
Italy
Greece
Cuba
United States of America
The Pacific Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean

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