Smokey Bear Reading Challenge 2024

Celebrate Smokey’s 80th Birthday by joining the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge and engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. This list are books for children and are available through the Sussex County Library System.

Updated July 25, 2024
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Cool careers :
Paper Book
The first group of titles in an ongoing series introduces students to six amazing adventure careers. Geared for reluctant readers in upper elementary school and above, each high-interest title combines easy-to-follow text with engaging on-the-job photographs to spark students' interest in reading...
Something happened to our planet :
Celano, Marianne,
Paper Book
Join the Earth Patrol! Written to help parents begin conversations with their children about a challenging and important topic, Something Happened to Our Planet describes the narrator's efforts to help the planet with her friends, by advocating for re-usable plates at her school. ...
Surviving the wildfire : hear my story
Eason, Sarah
Paper Book
In 2018, the entire town of Paradise, California was devastated by a wildfire, which came to be called the Camp Fire. Based on the experiences of many wildfire victims, this fictional story follows Toni and her family who flee their home in Paradise and must move to Sacramento afterward, where they...
Forests /
French, Jess
Paper Book
Wildfires /
Furgang, Kathy.
Paper Book
Learn all about wildfires--how they happen, why they're important, and when they're dangerous--in this fascinating level 3 reader. It's sure to ignite your interest, with color photographs, interesting facts, and more.
Nature all around :
Hickman, Pamela
Paper Book
This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated introduction to trees and the important role they play is part of the essential Nature All Around series. The book first explores the parts of trees, their life cycles, the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, leaf types and the processes...
When forests burn :
Marrin, Albert
Paper Book
A fascinating look at the most destructive wildfires in American history, the impact of climate change, and what we're doing right and wrong to manage forest fire, from a National Book Award finalist. Perfect for young fans of disaster stories and national history. ...
Over and under the rainforest
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal take readers on a thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests of Central America. Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the Garden and Down...
Over and under the snow /
Messner, Kate.
Paper Book
Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter's...
Up in the garden and down in the dirt /
Messner, Kate.
Paper Book
In this exuberant and lyrical addition to the award-winning Over and Under series, emerging readers will delight in discovering the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves, and down in the dirt. From the author-illustrator team behind...
Little Smokey /
Neubecker, Robert.
Paper Book
For a brave firefighting airplane, the sky's the limit! This timeless story of teamwork and determination is perfect for kids who loved The Little Engine That Could and shows how even unlikely heroes can help their community in times of need. When forest fires blaze, the...
They hold the line :
Paley, Dan,
Paper Book
A tribute to the unsung heroes of firefighting that takes readers along on a high-stakes mission to battle one of the deadliest natural disasters. A lone figure stands on a tower, watching and waiting. Lightning strikes. Tree bark sparks. A wisp of white smoke rises in the distance. It is time...
Hiking day
Rockwell, Anne
Paper Book
Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates nature and the outdoors with a gorgeous new picture book about a child's first mountain hike! A young girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a...
Because of an acorn /
Schaefer, Lola M.,
Paper Book
Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling...
Fraser the forest ranger /
Schufman, Matthew,
Paper Book
Fraser the Forest Ranger is on a mission: to find one true friend. He searches far and wide, but he might just discover a best friend is closer than he thinks. Fraser is a Forest Ranger and he loves his job. He checks on the trees, he checks on the animals, and he always ends his...

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