Benny's Flag

Benny was an Aleut Indian boy living in an Alaskan mission home many years before Alaska became a state. One day his teacher told the class about a contest to make a flag for Alaska. That night the boys and girls of the mission house made many designs for the flag. Benny thought about what he loved most about Alaska. Benny knew what he wanted his flag to be like: the blue field for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not flower; the North Star for the future State of Alaska, the most northerly state in the Union; and the dipper for the Great Bear—symbolizing strength. A month later the teacher announced: "Children, the flag contest is over. From all over Alaska children sent in designs for the flag. And Benny's design has won the contest!" Benny's Flag is a true story.

Ages 5-8

Phyllis Krasilovsky is the author of over 20 books for children, including The Very Little Boy and The Man Who Cooked for Himself. Jim Fowler won the Christopher Award in 1995 for I'll See You When the Moon is Full.