Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, what better time to pick up a book featuring our great country – whether it’s about history, cooking, hiking, or music! A reminder that even when the libraries are closed, our digital collections are always available on the Libby and Hoopla apps.

KIDS

United Tastes of America by Gabrielle Langholtz

54 child-friendly recipes – one for each state, plus Washington D.C. and three U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). From Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels to Louisiana gumbo, Oklahoma fry bread to Virginia peanut soup, each recipe is made simple by a step-by-step format and a full-color photograph of the finished dish. A full-spread introduction to each state/territory features background about its culinary culture, brought to life with illustrated food facts and maps. Informative and delicious for kids and their families!

America: A Patriotic Primer by Lynne Cheney

Each letter of the alphabet is represented by important people, ideas, and events in the history of the United States.

TEENS

America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger

This book explores the themes that create our shared sense of American identity. With iconic American catchphrases as chapter titles, these 21 visual stories illuminate the astonishing and unexpected sides of history that reverberate in our society to this very day.

Rad American History A-Z by Kate Schatz

An illustrated exploration of several centuries of American politics, culture, art, activism, and liberation. Each letter of the alphabet tells the story of a significant moment in America’s progressive history–one that isn’t always covered in history classes.

ADULTS

Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw

Beginning with the battle hymns of the revolution, and taking us through songs from the defining events of the Civil War, the fight for women’s suffrage, the two world wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and into the twenty-first century, the authors explore the songs that defined generations, and the cultural and political climates that produced them. 

America’s Best Day Hikes by Derek Dellinger

50 of the greatest hikes in the country, for all abilities and in all landscapes. This is a beautifully illustrated, best-of compendium featuring the most memorable day hikes in every region of the United States. Organized by region, the guide goes into detail about what makes each hike so remarkable and why it might be worth a detour or even a special journey for someone looking to broaden their horizons. 

Jen Pace Dickenson is the Youth Services Librarian for Polk County Public Libraries. For information about the library’s resources, programs, and other services, visit polklibrary.org or call (828) 894-8721.