About the Author

Nikki Shannon Smith is the author of 17 published and forthcoming books, ranging from board books to young adult novels. Her work includes five titles in Capstone’s multi-author, historical fiction/adventure, middle grade series, Girls Survive. These titles are about fictional girls who survived the Tulsa Race Massacre, Underground Railroad, Titanic, Oregon Trail, and the Civil War. Her writing is informed not only by her research, but by her childlike curiosity and nearly 30 years of elementary school teaching experience.

Nikki lives in Woodland, California, but travels for conferences and author visits whenever she can. The first thing she packs in her suitcase is always a book. Learn more about Nikki at nikkishannonsmith.com.

Battle of the Books Home

NOLS Book Talk

Read-Alikes

Betty Before X
by Ilyasah Shabazz

Loretta Little Looks Back
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Stella by Starlight
by Sharon M. Draper

Tulsa Race Riots
by Kevin Winn & Kelisa Wing

Unspeakable
by Carole B. Weatherford

Additional Activities

Read

Read A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory with an adult and talk about racism and our country’s history. Make connections to Lena’s story.

Express yourself!

Create a piece of art (collage, painting, comic, etc.) about a social issue you feel passionate about and share it.

About Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books is a book group for 4th graders, offered by NOLS in collaboration with schools in Clallam County. Students, including homeschool students, can sign up through their teachers to participate and receive a free copy of each book. From November through March, Library staff will hold book discussions with participating classrooms.