Recommendations based on Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Paradeby Melissa Sweet

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. Me...Jane

    by Patrick McDonnell
    A young girl embarks on a journey of exploration and imagination, inspired by the life of Jane Goodall.

    Patrick McDonnell-beloved, bestselling author-artist and creator of the Mutts syndicated comic strip–shares the inspiring story of young Jane Goodall, the legendary and inspiring conservationist ... (Goodreads)

  2. Snowflake Bentley

    by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
    A heartwarming story of a man's dedication to snowflake photography and his passion for understanding nature.

    "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." — Wilson Bentley (1865–1931) Snow in Vermont is as common as dirt. Why ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

    by Mordicai Gerstein
    A heroic story of a tightrope walker who successfully crossed the Twin Towers in 1974.

    From a highly-respected picture book author/illustrator comes a lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers. ... (Goodreads)

  4. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    by Doreen Rappaport
    Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting his powerful words & vision for a better future.

    This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the most ... (Barnes & Noble)

  5. And Tango Makes Three

    by Justin Richardson
    A heartwarming true story of two male penguins who adopt an egg and raise a chick together in the Central Park Zoo.

    In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others. This illustrated children's book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became ... (Goodreads)

  6. Drawing from Memory

    by Allen Say
    A memoir of Allen Say's childhood in Japan and his journey to become an artist in America.

    DRAWING FROM MEMORY is Allen Say's own story of his path to becoming the renowned artist he is today. Shunned by his father, who didn't understand his son's artistic leanings, Allen was embraced by ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. Inside the Human Body

    by Joanna Cole
    A journey through the inner workings of the human body, from the bones to the organs.

    Talk about a change of plans! Ms. Frizzle and her class are on the Magic School Bus headed for a museum. They have been studying how the body turns food into energy, and now they are going to see an ... (Goodreads)

  8. Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

    by Steve Sheinkin
    A riveting account of the race to build the world's first atomic bomb during WWII.

    In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific ... (Goodreads)

  9. El Deafo

    by Cece Bell
    Autobiographical graphic novel about a girl who becomes deaf and learns to navigate the world with her hearing aid, the Phonic Ear.

    The book depicts the childhood of Cece Bell, who required the assistance of a Phonic Ear hearing aid while she was growing up to be the person who she is now. While the hearing aid enables her to ... (Wikipedia)

  10. Lincoln: A Photobiography

    by Russell Freedman
    A visual biography of Abraham Lincoln, featuring photographs and historical context of his life and presidency.

    Abraham Lincoln stood out in a crowd as much for his wit and rollicking humor as for his height. This Newbery Medal-winning biography of our Civil War president is warm, appealing, and illustrated ... (Goodreads)

  11. Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School

    by John Medina
    A comprehensive look at the science of brain development, exploring how to maximize its potential.

    Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—like the need for physical activity ... (Goodreads)

  12. Have a Little Faith: a True Story

    by Mitch Albom
    A journey through faith, exploring the power of belief and the strength of community.

    In, Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds–two men, two faiths, two communities--that will inspire readers ... (Goodreads)

  13. Brown Girl Dreaming

    by Jacqueline Woodson
    A poetic memoir of a young girl's coming-of-age in the Civil Rights era.

    Jacqueline Woodson, one of today's finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. ... (Goodreads)

  14. You'll Grow Out of It

    by Jessi Klein
    A collection of humorous essays about the author's journey from tomboy to womanhood.

    From Emmy award-winning comedy writer Jessi Klein,, You'll Grow Out of It, hilariously and candidly explores the journey of the 21st-century woman. As both a tomboy and a late bloomer, comedian Jessi ... (Barnes & Noble)

  15. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia

    by Candace Fleming
    A detailed account of the Romanov family's rise to power, their downfall, and the events leading up to their tragic end.

    Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—at once an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of its undoing. Using captivating photos and ... (Goodreads)

  16. Real Friends

    by Shannon Hale
    A story of friendship, exploring the highs and lows of navigating relationships.

    “Fresh and funny.” —,New York Times, Book Review Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to ... (Barnes & Noble)

  17. Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

    by Maya Van Wagenen
    A teenage girl follows a 1950s popularity guide for a year, learning valuable lessons about self-confidence and acceptance.

    A touchingly honest, candidly hysterical memoir from breakout teen author Maya Van Wagenen, Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t ... (Goodreads)

  18. Women, Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything

    by Geneen Roth
    A journey to spiritual discovery through mindful eating and understanding of the connection between food and the soul.

    Roth began exploring emotional eating in her bestseller When Food Is Love . Now, two decades later, here is her masterwork: WOMEN FOOD AND GOD . The way you eat is inseparable from your core beliefs ... (Goodreads)

  19. Through My Eyes

    by Tim Tebow
    Memoir of Tim Tebow's journey from childhood to college football star, with emphasis on his faith and values.

    FormerUniversity of Florida star quarterback, 2010 first-round draft pick for theDenver Broncos, and devout Christian Tim Tebow tellsthe story of his faith, his life, and his career in football in ... (Barnes & Noble)

  20. Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy

    by Stephanie Nielson
    A woman's inspiring story of surviving a plane crash, and the journey of rebuilding her life afterwards.

    Stephanie Nielson began sharing her life in 2005 on nieniedialogues.com, drawing readers in with her warmth and candor. She quickly attracted a loyal following that was captivated by the upbeat ... (Goodreads)

  21. Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives

    by Gretchen Rubin
    A practical guide to creating and maintaining good habits, based on personal experiences and scientific research.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • The author of, The Happiness Project, and “a force for real change” (Brené Brown) examines how changing our habits can change our lives. “If anyone can help us stop ... (Barnes & Noble)

  22. The Elements of Style

    by William Strunk Jr.
    A practical guide to written English, providing guidance on grammar and style.

    This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain English style. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by ... (Goodreads)

  23. The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University

    by Kevin Roose
    An exploration of faith and culture at an evangelical college, through the eyes of an atheist.

    The hilarious and heartwarming, respectful and thought-provoking memoir of a college student's semester at Liberty University, the "Bible Boot Camp" for young evangelicals, that will inspire ... (Barnes & Noble)

  24. The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank

    by Willy Lindwer
    Documentary film of the last seven months of Anne Frank's life in the Secret Annex.

    The "unwritten" final chapter of "Anne Frank: Diary Of A Young Girl" tells the story of the time between Anne Frank's arrest and her death through the testimony of six Jewish women who survived the ... (Goodreads)

  25. Stories I Only Tell My Friends

    by Rob Lowe
    Memoir of Rob Lowe's life, from his early days in Ohio to his rise to fame in Hollywood.

    A wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  26. Just My Type: A Book about Fonts

    by Simon Garfield
    Exploration of the fascinating history and variety of typefaces that have shaped our world.

    What’s your type? Suddenly everyone’s obsessed with fonts. Whether you’re enraged by Ikea’s Verdanagate, want to know what the Beach Boys have in common with easy Jet or why it’s okay to like Comic ... (Goodreads)

  27. A Man Named Dave

    by Dave Pelzer
    A man's journey of recovery and healing, overcoming a traumatic childhood of abuse.

    More About Dave, A Man Named Dave, is the conclusion to a trio of autobiographical books by Dave Pelzer, who to millions of readers of, A Child Called "It", and, The Lost Boy, has become an ... (Goodreads)

  28. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

    by Paul Tough
    Examines the importance of character development in children's success, and the impact of adversity on their lives.

    Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: Success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool ... (Goodreads)

  29. Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

    by Rachel Maddow
    Investigation of the US military's unchecked growth and its consequences for American democracy.

    "One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier," Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1792. Neither Jefferson nor the other Found­ers could ever have envisioned the modern national security ... (Goodreads)

  30. The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God

    by John Eldredge
    Exploring the depths of spiritual life, uncovering a passionate relationship with God.

    The God who saves is also a God who woos His own to a relationship primarily of the heart. As we draw closer to Him, we must choose to let go of other "less-wild lovers," such as perfectionistic ... (Goodreads)