Thematic Lists

Music performed by the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, the marching band of the University of Nebraska at Kearney

Located in the heart of Nebraska is a beautiful stone mansion. Completed in 1890, it was once the modern, stylish residence of Gilded Age industrialists George and Phoebe Frank. With their oversight, the Franks believed, the small town of Kearney would become the 'Minneapolis of Nebraska.' The speculated in land, built a canal and hydroelectric plant, and funded the city's industrial growth. Then came drought and economic collapse. The Franks lost their grand home. In the twentieth century, Kearney redefined itself as a hub for education and healthcare in rural Nebraska. The mansion became part of the Nebraska State Hospital for Tuberculosis. For over six decades, the doctors, nurses, and staff of the 'Stone House' treated thousands of indigent Nebraskans afflicted with one of history's deadliest diseases. Stone Mansion on the Prairie tells a story of boom, bust, and rebirth on the Great Plains. It also follows the restoration and rebirth of the G. W. Frank Museum of History and Culture, critically examining how local historic sites can challenge our tendency to sentimentalize the past, often neglecting the people and stories that meaningfully shape our present.

What's so great about Nebraska? Readers will build skills to identify and summarize the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Cornhusker State. We'll explore Nebraska's vibrant cities, historic parks, fun-filled ranches, and exciting history. The Nebraska by Map feature helps students locate all the places covered in the book. A special section provides key state details such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Nebraska.

Arbor Day, Boys Town, and Kool-Aid® are just a few of the marks the Great Plains state of Nebraska has made on American culture. From the state's eastern border along the Missouri River, where Lewis and Clark embarked on the Corps of Discovery expedition, to the towering geologic landmarks of the west, chronicled in pioneers' journals, there are treasures to explore on each page of C is for Cornhusker: A Nebraska Alphabet.

In Husker Numbers: A Nebraska Number Book, readers can step back in history and experience nineteenth century frontier army life at Fort Atkinson, count the many ancient petroglyphs at Indian Cave State Park, or even 'regain' their marbles at Lee's Legendary Marbles museum in York. From the majestic natural landmark of Chimney Rock (a National Historic Site) to the 900,000 gallons of salt water in the Shark Tunnel at Henry Doorly Zoo, Nebraska has 'countless' treasures for all to enjoy.

The treasures of Nebraska brought to board book form for the youngest book lovers. Toddlers will delight in this book filled with rhyming riddles framed by brightly painted clues, introducing the elements that make Nebraska so special.

Learn about the key players and big wins that have made the Nebraska Cornhuskers one of the most popular teams in college football. Readers will get a glimpse into the team's history, its home stadium, its fans, and the team's most memorable moments. Additional features to enhance comprehension include a table of contents, informative sidebars and captions, a glossary of key words and phrases, sources for further research, information about the author, and an index.

Nebraska is special in many ways. We're right in the middle of the United States and we have a "panhandle." But Nebraska is also the only place in the United States that has a Unicameral. Learn all about how senators work together for the common good in The Unicameral and You

Learn about Nebraska's sights and symbols, including the state seal, the state flag, Chimney Rock, and others, then follow step-by-step instructions for drawing them

Twelve million years ago, rhinos, elephants, and camels roamed North America. They would gather at nearby watering holes--eating, drinking, and trying not to become someone else's lunch. But one day, in what we now know as Nebraska, everything changed. The explosion of a supervolcano a thousand miles away sent a blanket of ash that buried these animals for millennia. Until 1953, when a seventeen-year-old farm worker made an unbelievable discovery. Rhinos in Nebraska tells the story of the Ashfall Fossil Beds, where more than two hundred perfectly preserved fossils have been found. Step into the past with author Alison Pearce Stevens and uncover the mysteries of Ashfall.
Author is from Nebraska.

Would you give up your pet to save your country? During WWII, the U.S. Military established the Fort Robinson War Dogs Training Center in western Nebraska, training over 17,000 "dogs for defense" and deploying them to battlefields and installations all over the world. This book tells the incredible story of the War Dog program as seen through the eyes of Major, a World War Two soldier dog. At the beginning of the program, without a ready supply of dogs to train, the U.S. government asked civilians throughout the region to volunteer their dogs for service. Thousands answered the call, and their pets served our country courageously as guards, scouts, messengers, sled runners, and more. Told from the point of view of Major, a border collie based on a real dog from North Dakota, Major: A Soldier Dog tells the incredible story of the War Dog program through his eyes, following him through the heartbreaking separation from his family, the training at Fort Robinson, his harrowing war service in Italy, his return home for detraining and discharge, and finally the wonderful reunion with his family.

A young reader's biography of Ben Kuroki, a Nebraska-born, Japanese American who fought very hard to become an American aerial gunner and a hero during World War II. In that war, he flew a total of 58 missions against both Germany and Japan. Throughout his adult life, he often spoke out for good citizenship and against racism.

Eleven-year-old Perry T. Cook shouldn't be living in a prison; he has committed no crime. Perry was born and raised at the Blue River Coed Correctional Facility in tiny Surprise, Nebraska. His mom is a resident on Cell Block C. So far, the warden, Daugherty, has made it possible for them to be together. Anyone who knows about the arrangement is quietly okay with it. But when Perry is discovered by the new, ambitious district attorney and brought to live on "the outside" for the first time, everything changes. Desperate to be reunited with his mom, Perry goes on a quest to learn the whole truth behind their Blue River story and to find a way to tell everyone what home means before he loses it forever.

Describes the history, geography, ecology, people, economy, cities, and sights of the state of Nebraska, and includes ideas for classroom assignments

Nebraska is an agricultural kingdom. Its farms and fields blanket the prairies and plains. Discover how the early sodbusters thrived in an almost treeless landscape to create the Cornhusker State we know today. Students will also learn about native wildlife, local festivals, and more.

This book explores the geography, climate, history, people, government, and economy of Nebraska. All books in the It's My State! ® series are the definitive research tool for readers looking to know the ins and outs of a specific state, including comprehensive coverage of its history, people, culture, geography, economy and government.

Invite your students to explore the state of Nebraska in this comprehensive title! Informative, easy-to-read text draws in reluctant readers, while vibrant, oversized photos showcase the beauty and diversity of this state. Readers journey through Nebraska as they learn about its history, cities, land features, animals, industries, sports, famous people, and more! A "Tour Book" spread highlights kid-friendly things to do in Nebraska. Other features include a table of contents, fact boxes, a timeline, regional and state maps, a facts page with vital information, a glossary, and an index. Up-to-date population statistics are taken from the 2010 US census.

Rianna and Sheridan Chaney experience ranch life up close and personal with Libbi, Landri and Lindsi Loos on their ranch in America's Heartland, Litchfield, Nebraska

Nebraska is a state of great geographic diversity, agriculture, railroads, and a history that began with the arrival of the Omaha, Cheyenne, and Pawnee Indians, among others. An engaging narrative supported by features such as sidebars, maps, and timelines takes readers on a journey to the Heartland.

Three female voices narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free - or cost them everything they have - in this intergenerational novel that explores the Black homesteader movement.
1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs- an opportunity to claim the independence they've strived for over generations on their very own plot of land. But Thomas' hopes-and mouth-are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger. Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery-but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas' desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there? Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome's striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom.

Following her father's death from a disease that swept through her Nebraska town in 1881, teenaged Sarah Jane must find work to support herself and records in her diary her experiences as a young school teacher.

After Nathaniel's leg is crushed in an accident, his father brings home an orphan boy, John Worth, to help work the fields. Worth has come to Nebraska from New York City on the Orphan Train, which brings homeless children west to find new lives. Nathaniel feels increasingly jealous of the boy who has taken over not only his work but the attention of his father, who has barely spoken to him since his injury. In school for the first time he is far behind even his youngest classmates, and he feels as useless there as he does at home. Meanwhile, Worth is still grieving for his family and his old life. As the farm chores prevent him from going to school, he also resents losing his dream of an education and a good job. And for all the work he does, he knows he will never inherit the farm that he's helping to save. But a battle between ranchers and farmers -- and a book of Greek mythology that Nathaniel reads aloud each evening -- forges a connection between the two boys, who begin to discover that maybe there is enough room on the farm, and in the family, for both of them. A. LaFaye's dynamic portrayal of two boys longing for something they no longer have -- and finding the resources to face the future -- offers a fresh perspective on the thousands of children who moved west via the Orphan Trains in the late nineteenth century.

When a terrible storm blows the feathers off a chick on a western Nebraska farm, a pioneer woman makes clothing from an old pair of long johns to protect him, allowing the chick to grow into a fine rooster

Elsie is a city girl. She loves the noise of the cobbled streets of Boston. But when her mother dies and her father moves them to the faraway prairies of Nebraska, Elsie hears only the silence, and she feels alone in the wide sea of grass. Her only comfort is her canary, Timmy Tune. But when Timmy flies out the window, Elsie is forced to run after him, into the tall grass of the prairie, where she's finally able to hear the voice of the prairie-beautiful and noisy- and she begins to feel at home.   Jane Yolen and David Small create a remarkable, poetic, vividly rendered book about finding one's place in the world.

A biography of the Omaha Indian woman who became the first Native American woman to graduate from medical school.

Describes the life, career, and writings of the Pulitzer Prize winner who immortalized the Great Plains and Nebraska countryside

2021 edition

2005 edition

1997 edition

Nonfiction articles examining UFO sightings. Each is followed by reading comprehension and critical thinking exercises
Includes a section entitled "Encounter in Nebraska"

Join alien school kids on a quest to learn about the state of Nebraska! Discover state symbols, landmarks, history, geography, interesting places, and fascinating facts in a fun, new way!

Nebraska's Best Trivia was developed to bring hours of fun while teaching interesting facts about the great State of Nebraska.

1 booklet and several picture cards about Nebraska wildlife tracks

After the death of his parents, Jim Burden is sent to live with his grandparents on the Nebraska plains. By chance, on that same train is Ántonia, a bright-eyed girl who will become his neighbor and lifelong friend. Her family has emigrated from Bohemia to start a new life farming but soon lose their money and must work hard just to survive. Through it all, Ántonia retains her natural pride and free spirit. Jim's grandparents have a large and tidy farm. They are kind to him, but conventional. Later, Jim becomes a scholar and Ántonia becomes a "hired girl" in town. She blossoms in the new freedom that town life offers. Jim can only taste this life vicariously through her recounting of town gossip and of the "dance tent." Ántonia's strong will, spirit, and honesty allow her to thrive in the midst of hardship. In My Ántonia, Willa Cather paints a rich picture of life on the prairie at the beginning of the twentieth century and depicts some of the many cultures that came to compose the United States.
Physical copies of this title can be found in the Book Collection

Nebraskan Ted Kooser, the 13th U.S., Poet Laureate, shows the beauty in the ordinary through his poetry. This DVD provides multiple venues for educators, students, and others to experience poetry in an everyday way

In 2020, with America's Refugee Resettlement Program hanging by a thread, A Home Called Nebraska is the story of mid-western welcome, acceptance and unlikely friendships during a time of national anxiety and emboldened bigotry. In 2016, the conservative state of Nebraska resettled more refugees per capita than any other state. A Home Called Nebraska spotlights people who escaped war, torture and persecution. It also introduces the generous Nebraskans who welcomed them, taught them, celebrated with them, and helped them find jobs and houses. Today these refugees are succeeding and are giving back to the communities that supported them.

Medicine Woman interweaves the lives of Native American women healers of today with the story of America's first Native doctor, Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865-1915). The one-hour PBS documentary produced by and about women, features historic and contemporary profiles of female healers, starting with Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865-1915) of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska

Features two 60 minute performances by Roger Welsch in which he sings folk songs and tells stories about pioneers and outlaws and their roles in the settling of the Great Plains

Biographical depiction of Cather's life and the influences of the Nebraska frontier on her work.

At the turn of the century, an immigrant's daughter inherits her family's Nebraska farm and her father's fierce love for the land. Fifteen years later she has made the family a fortune through her canny management of the farm, but has never forgotten the young man who left the prairie to seek his fortune

Pioneering the harsh langscape of Nebraska was difficult enough in 1869. Pioneering a new university was almost beyond reason. There were no guidebooks or roadmaps on how to build a university. The founders were building a university out of little more than ambitious hopes and dreams. University Hall was the University of Nebraska's first building. The new land-grant university was revolutionary for the time. Tuition was free and it's doors were open to everyone interested in receiving a higher education

Learn about Nebraska's wetlands and the important values they provide. Explore the wide diversity of wetlands and wetland wildlife across Nebraska. Discover how wetlands play a variety of roles in the lives of Nebraskans
The educational video is targeted to fourth- to sixth-grade students, but is appropriate for younger and older audiences as well

The Canteen Spirit chronicles the story of the World War II North Platte Canteen, which made history when residents of 125 communities from across the state greeted millions of soldiers over a nearly five-year period, as their trains made a ten-minute stop at the North Platte depot. Canteen workers provided sandwiches, cakes, cookies, hard-boiled eggs, doughnuts, beverages, cigarettes, magazines, and more, never once running out of provisions in its years of operation.

Explores the history of University of Nebraska football. Includes vintage game films and personal interviews

Discusses the life and career of Solomon D. Butcher, an early frontier photographer whose work constitutes one of the most extensive photographic records of the settlement of the Great Plains

This mini-series captures a year in the lives of seven children of Burr Oak School in Custer County, Nebraska and an end of an era in education