Nonfiction

"The Poetry Center of Chicago is proud to present another year of poetry from the talented students in our Hands on Stanzas program. This year, 3,100 students at 32 schools across the city improved their literacy, and were creatively empowered through the reading, writing, discussion and presentation of poetry. These poems are poignant, provocative, funny, and emotional. They represent the authentic experiences of these young poets and we are proud to give them voice."

"These stories are written by everyday people who want to share their experiences with you, to let everyone know what it's like to grow up in our shoes. We're hoping we can reach somebody with these stories, that somehow, some way you will listen to us. Many of the guys in this book are between the ages of 15-25, and we have it hard out there. Many of us have been incarcerated or have lost someone real close to us. We've been attending a class called Reflection for a couple of years now. Thanks to the help of Father Bruce Wellems at Holy Cross Church, most of us now have a chance to realize that everyone is valuable in this world."

"Chicago is said to have about 1800 independent hot dog stands, more than all franchised fast food chains combined. Every neighborhood has it's favorite local hangout, with a slightly different take on the classic Chicago hot dog, and it's own unique look and style. Read the story of Chicago's hot dog in the enclosed booklet, and visit a few of the many interesting hot dog stands with this 3-dimensional photo tour."

"In the 1950s, Lincoln Avenue was the gateway to Chicago from the north. At the edge of the city, new auto 'mo-tels' with the most modern amenities catered to auto travellers. Since then the little motels have fallen on hard times and many have been torn down. Read the story of Lincoln Avenue and take a tour in 3-dimensional photos to see what is left of this classic stretch of roadside Americana."

A reference work, published in 1913 aimed at facilitating efficient self-education. This volume serves and an index for the rest of the volumes of the Home and School Reference Work. It also provides outlines and plans for study as well as seeking to stimulate further questioning and research on the part of its readers.

"There are forty-three heroes in this book...Since I saw these monumental figures as icons...I decided on a size and shape for the hand that would depict them." The personalities and accomplishments of 43 iconic heroes are represented by Kiff Slemmons' jewelry-like pins shaped like hands. Each work stands as an allegory representing the qualities, virtues, and significance of each hero to Slemmons. Included is a biographic essay and poem that serve to give greater scope to the work; a largely pictorial work.

"ConReFab combines three words/ fields: Concepts + Representation + Fabrication. The book documents five completed projects by AEDS | Ammar Eloueini designed and implemented between 2003-2005."

A how-to zine about homeschooling

A collection of Sydney Harris's syndicated newspaper column "Strictly Personal," from the Chicago Daily News & Chicago Sun-Times, chosen from 30 years of writing. Columns are short and range from advice to politics. The back cover quotes Studs Terkel in the Chicago Sun-Times, saying, "Fortunately for our sense of balance, Sydney J. Harris is around, reminding us of human possibilities not yet tapped . . . Pick up this book. It's good for out-loud reading, and therapeutic at the same time." Harris went to high school with Saul Bellow, possibly at Tuley High School, where Saul Bellow is documented as having graduated from; the building is now Tuley Middle School, and the high school was moved to Clemente.

An examination of Chicago history and policy as it relates to race inequality, particularly in regards to education, housing, and employment