How important is setting to a children’s book? It depends on the subject.

The setting is important in historical fiction and non-fiction.

The setting can also be important for children to learn about new environments - a city versus a suburb or a rural area.

For this month’s reading recommendations for kids and young adults, we are featuring books set in Pittsburgh.

Good Night Pittsburgh (Good Night Our World) by Mark Jasper - Kids will enjoy listening to this tour of Pittsburgh and seeing Ruth Palmer’s colorful illustrations of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers; Point State Park; the Steelers; the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium; the National Aviary; Carnegie Science Center; Carnegie Museum of Natural History; and the Cathedral of Learning. For ages 0 to 4

Pickles to Pittsburgh: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 by Judi Barrett – In this fun-filled sequel, Kate falls asleep and dreams she is a pilot and her brother Henry is her copilot. Together, they visit the land of Chewandswallow with its massive amounts of food, - giant carrots, leafy jungles of lettuce, and tuna fish sandwiches so big they can only be lifted by helicopter. What do the people of Chewandswallow do with all that food? Your kids will have to read and find out! For ages 3-7

Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers by Matthew Cordell – this is the only authorized picture book biography of Fred Rogers. This book includes a brief biography of his life and career and explores Fred Rogers' early life and the events that led him to create his iconic neighborhood and television show. Archival photographs were provided by Fred Rogers Productions. Kids get a behind-the-scenes look at the show and the people whose hard work made it possible. For ages 4 to 8

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers includes 75 beloved songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and The Children's Corner. In his songs/poems, Mister Rogers explores positive and negative feelings, new siblings, everyday life, imagination, and the values of kindness, self-awareness, and self-esteem. He taught children they are accepted and loved, just as they are. A perfect book for bedtime, sing-alongs, or quiet time. For ages 6 and up

A Little Girl in Old Pittsburg by Amanda Minnie Douglas is set in the late 18th century in Pittsburgh. The book opens as the Carrick, Bradin, and Duvernay pioneer families learn of Lord Cornwallis’ surrender to George Washington. Readers follow the daily life of Daffodil, a little girl living near Fort Pitt and her family. The novel is part of a series that includes A Little Girl in Old Boston and A Little Girl in Old Philadelphia. It was among the first fiction series for American girls. For ages 7-11

The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer – Set in 1853 in Pittsburgh - Thirteen-year-old Owen Burke and his younger brother have been abandoned by their widowed mother and placed on an “Orphan train” headed for a fresh start on a farm. Owen jumps off and finds his way to a circus boat where he makes friends with Solomon, an elderly former slave. Owen works doing odd jobs and he is accepted into the makeshift family of his fellow circus workers. After a severe storm and a yellow fever outbreak in New Orleans closes the River Palace circus, Solomon is sold back into slavery despite his "free papers." Owen has several options for his future, but he is determined to find and free Solomon and reunite with his younger brother whom he learns has been adopted by a family now living in Pittsburgh. For ages 8-12

Duffy's Rocks by Edward Fenton - set in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression. Fourteen-year-old Timothy Francis Brennan lives in the fictional mill town of Duffy's Rocks, in the Pittsburgh area. He lives with his grandmother, a feisty Irish immigrant, as he searches for his missing father. For Young Adults

Greenhorn on the Frontier by Ann Finlayson is set in 1770s Pittsburgh, just before the American Revolutionary War. Nineteen-year-old Harry Warrilow and his twenty-three-year-old sister, Sukey, put everything they own in a hand cart and travel west to Pittsburgh to start their own farm. The story includes Simon Girty, Arthur St. Clair, and the Shawnee and Lenape Indian tribes. For Young Adults

The Fury of Firestorm – the comic book series by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom – In some sort of accident, high school student Ronnie Raymond and physicist Martin Stein develop the ability to fuse together to form the superhero, Firestorm. At issue 38 in the series, Ronnie moves to Pittsburgh to attend college where Martin has accepted a position at a university. The series does move to other locations, but fans of CW’s Arrowverse will recognize the character. For ages 12 and up

Pittsburgh: A Coloring Book by Mr. Rick Antolic – sometimes coloring with your kids or admiring their work can start some fun conversations. For all ages including adults