Who Was First? Discovering America

Who Was First? Discovering America

Written by: Russell Freedman

"Many generations of American school children were taught that Columbus discovered America, and a holiday reminds us every October. But historical investigation in recent years has shown us otherwise. There is evidence that adventurers, explorers, traders, and nomads from various parts of the globe set foot on American soil long before 1492. And expeditions that landed in the Americas reported people already living there—indicating that America had been “discovered” before.

Russell Freedman brings his legendary skills as researcher and storyteller to this fresh and intriguing look at the American past. Colorful legends and first-person accounts are woven into the riveting narrative, which also illuminates the way historians and mapmakers have gathered, evaluated, and recorded information throughout the ages."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.dcfaward.org/Activities/2008-09%20Reviews%20and%20Discussion%20Questions.htm#WHO_WAS_FIRST_

What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!

What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!

Written by: Barbara Kerley
Illustrated by: Edwin Fotheringham

"Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem. Her name was Alice. Alice Lee Roosevelt was hungry to go places, meet people, do things. Father called it running riot. Alice called it eating up the world. Whether she was entertaining important White House visitors with her pet snake or traveling the globe, Alice bucked convention and turned every new experience into an adventure! Brimming with affection and wit, this spirited biography gives readers a peek family life inside the White House. Prose and pictures spring, gambol, and two-step across the pages to celebrate a maverick American heroine."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.barbarakerley.com/TRAlice.html

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

Written and Illustrated by: Melanie Walsh

"A thoroughly successful presentation on how even small changes in lifestyle can make a big difference. On each spread, a large and colorful acrylic painting is accompanied by a sturdy die-cut flap and eco-friendly tips. Each suggestion opens with "I," followed by a verb, such as "remember," "try," and "always." The sentence is completed under the flap, along with a reason why the tip is conservation friendly. The recommendations are those that children can easily relate to, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth (which can save 18 glasses of water), using both sides of the paper, recycling, etc. Visually appealing and effective in its presentation, this title will serve as an introduction to environmental studies. Its appealing visuals and large size make it perfect for group sharing."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/09/16/eco-kids-books-10-things-i-can-do-to-help-my-world/

Portraits of Jewish American Heroes

Portraits of Jewish American Heroes

Written by: Malka Drucker
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Rosen

“From its beginnings, America, founded on religious freedom, has been a land of opportunity for Jews, socially, economically, and spiritually,” writes Rabbi Malka Drucker in introducing twenty compelling individuals who have enriched our country by their achievements. In areas including science, sports, filmmaking, and civil rights, we meet male and female heroes who set an example, made a positive difference, and took a risk to do it. This beautifully produced volume spans three centuries of history, beginning with Haym Solomon and ending with Daniel Pearl. Each individual's likeness, spirit, and contribution are captured in a distinctive and striking color portrait created with a variety of different media."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit175/lesson2.html

Margaret Chase Smith: A Woman for President

Margaret Chase Smith: A Woman for President

Written by: Lynn Plourde
Illustrated by: David McPhail

"Experience the compelling story of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who decided to run for president in 1964. The author uses a timeline of key events in history and important in- formation about our nation to make connections to this woman’s passions and accomplishments"

www.socialstudies.org/notable

Online Resources:
http://www.mcslibrary.org/bio/biog.htm
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/elections/printable/56828.html?detoured=1

Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President

Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President

Written by: Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Illustrated by: Stacy Innerst

"Laughter is not only good medicine. It can also be a political tool, human motivator, and saving grace, as the authors show in this upbeat overview of Lincoln’s life. Moving through the sixteenth president’s many challenges, from family deaths to lost elections to fighting slavery, the text emphasizes how Lincoln coped with a joke on his tongue and a smile on his lips. Many direct quotes are interwoven in a contrasting font within the spreads that delve into subjects such as his military service, when he faced “a good many bloody battles—with mosquitoes,” and marriage: “Here I am, and here is Mrs. Lincoln. And that’s the long and short of it.” Innerst’s acrylic artwork feels homey and humorous, very much in the style of his previous work with Krull, M is for Music (2003), and while not every word or picture is necessarily a hoot and a holler, they do present a positive portrait that humanizes the lionized man for whom it was “a love of laughter that kept him going.”

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/for-kids/default.aspx
http://www.berwickacademy.org/lincoln/lincoln.htm

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Written by: Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon

"Meet Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a woman who stood up and fought for what she believed in. In nineteenth-century America, women were not allowed to go to college, own property, or vote. But rather than accept her lesser status, Elizabeth went to college and gathered other like-minded women to challenge the right to vote. Here is the inspiring story of an extraordinary woman who changed America forever because she wouldn’t take no for an answer."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
*download reading guide here*
http://www.tanyastone.com/index.php?id=25

Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States

Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States

Written by: Arlene Morris-Lipsman

"Using lively text, political cartoons, photographs, and campaign memorabilia, Morris-Lipsman presents more then 200 years of presidential races - from simple campaigns to stumping, polls, television ads, fundraising, conventions, and controversies. Table of Election Results, Source Notes, Selected Biography, Further Reading and Websites, Index."

Notable Children's Trade Book Review

Online Resources:
http://www.ourwhitehouse.org/gettingthevotes.html
http://www.presidentsusa.net/campaignslogans.html
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/americavotes/

Pappy's Handkerchief

Pappy's Handkerchief

Written by: Devin Scillian
Illustrated by: Chris Ellison

"Young Moses and his family are barely scraping by. He helps his father in their fish stall selling each day’s catch to passersby but times are hard in 1889 Baltimore. It’s difficult to provide for a family of ten. But when they hear of free farmland out in Oklahoma, it sounds like the answer to their prayers. The family sells all they own and heads west to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Their wagon journey, however, is plagued with troubles from ice storms and flooded rivers to diminishing supplies and sickness. Yet Moses and his family persevere. They arrive in time to take a place along the boundary line that marks the staging point for the Oklahoma Land Run. But after making it this far, will even more bad luck prevent them from realizing their dream of owning their own piece of America?"

Product Description

Online Resources:
*scroll down the page to find "Pappy's Handkerchief" pdf doc - titles in alpha order*
http://www.sleepingbearpress.com/educators/

Dadblamed Union Army Cow

Dadblamed Union Army Cow

Written by: Susan Fletcher
Illustrated by: Kimberly Bulcken

"Based on stories and newspaper reports from the Civil War and full of lively illustrations, this is a heartwarming tale of one wonderfully persistent cow. "That dadblamed cow!" She follows her owner into the Union army and then straight onto the train to fight in the war. She gets spooked too easily, she gets stuck in the mud, and she's just plain dangerous in battle. But this peculiar cow also gives the weary soldiers some surprising comforts and ends up a "dadblamed hero."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.susanfletcher.com/index.php?pr=Dadblamed,_Union_Army_Cow

The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse

The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse

Written by: J. Patrick Lewis

"The wonderful wordplay of J. Patrick Lewis breathes new life into the speeches of Lincoln, the letters of Grant and Lee, and the moving human drama of our country's Civil War. Lewis' poignant poetry gives young readers a vivid insight into the brutal conflict that tore America apart. The author draws on primary-source books and articles to inspire each poem, bringing the ordinary and extraordinary voices of the Civil War to light. The book also includes a note from the Photo Editor on the authentic period images used throughout. Readers experience history directly as it was lived by Americans in the 1860s."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.googlelittrips.com/GoogleLit/6-8/Entries/2009/3/13_The_Brothers_War__Civil_War_Voices_in_Verse_by_Patrick_J._Lewis.html
http://www.jpatricklewis.com/

Go, Go America

Go, Go America

Written and Illustrated by: Dan Yaccarino

"What state’s official cookie is the chocolate chip cookie? What state hosts the International Rotten Sneaker Contest? Which state is it illegal to enter with a chicken on your head? To find the answers to these questions and hundreds more, just hitch a ride with the fabulous Farley family--Mom, Dad, Freddie, Fran, and Fido--as they travel state to state and discover far-out festivals, kooky contests, ludicrous laws, peculiar people, and oodles of oddities across America. So fasten your seat belt and get ready to go, go through fifty states of fun!"

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.yaccarinostudio.com/ys/books/go_go_america.html

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth

Written by: Rochelle Strauss
Illustrated by: Rosemary Woods

"Seen from space, our planet looks blue. This is because almost 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water. Earth is the only planet with liquid water -- and therefore the only planet that can support life. All water is connected. Every raindrop, lake, underground river and glacier is part of a single global well. Water has the power to change everything -- a single splash can sprout a seed, quench a thirst, provide a habitat, generate energy and sustain life. How we treat the water in the well will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. One Well shows how every one of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well."

Product Description

Online Resources:
*learning guide on left tab of page in pdf format*
http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/One-Well-P3000.aspx

The Remarkable Rough-Riding Life of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Empire America

The Remarkable Rough-Riding Life of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Empire America

Written and Illustrated by: Cheryl Harness

"How did a sickly boy transform himself into one of the country's boldest leaders? You'll get the full story—front page and behind-the-scenes—as only Cheryl Harness can tell it. Through her lively narrative and engaging artwork, readers will see Teddy riding the range in South Dakota, charging up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, climbing the political ladder all the way to the White House, breaking up big business, building the Panama Canal, and big-game hunting in Africa. They will also experience life in America when the telephone, airplane, and automobile were all brand-new, when women, blacks, and laborers were demanding equal rights, and when the cry for expansion stretched the borders from Maine to the Philippines and from Puerto Rico to Alaska. This was an age in which Roosevelt's promise to give every American a "square deal" and to "walk softly and carry a big stick" helped build the country into a world power.

With a new adventure on almost every page, readers will find themselves "wowed" by this true story of a larger-than-life American hero, and the country and times in which he lived."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.americanpresidents.org/presidents/president.asp?PresidentNumber=25
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt/
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/

¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

Written by: Diana Cohn
Illustrated by: Francisco Delgado

"¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! is a bilingual fictional story set against the backdrop of the successful janitors’ strike in Los Angeles in 2000. It tells about Carlitos, whose mother is a janitor. Every night, he sleeps while his mother cleans in one of the skyscrapers in downtown L.A. When she comes home, she waves Carlitos off to school before she goes to sleep. One night, his mamá explains that she can’t make enough money to support him and his abuelita the way they need unless she makes more money as a janitor. She and the other janitors have decided to go on strike.

How will Carlitos support his mother? Carlitos wants to help but he cannot think of a way until his teacher, Miss Lopez, explains in class how her own grandfather had fought for better wages for farmworkers when he first came to the United States. He and the other children in his class join the marchers with a very special sign for his mom!"

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.dreamcarver.org/sisepuede.php
http://www.seiu.org/division/property-services/justice-for-janitors/

Our County's First Ladies

Our Country's First Ladies

Written by: Ann Bausum

"Step inside the White House and meet the women who have played the roles of partners, confidantes, hostesses, and activists in the midst of American history. Read of fascinating lives led by the wives (and sometimes daughters, nieces, and friends) of our country's leaders. Ann Bausum introduces us to a private side of each First Lady, and connects each personality with the public persona to produce a book of uniquely revealing portraits.

Each profile is accompanied by a full-page portrait and a Fact Box detailing information such as education, special interests, and children. Timelines set each tenure in the context of the course of women's history, and a Facts-at-a-Glance section is a valuable resource for trivia lovers and report writers alike.

The narrative comes alive through the multi-faceted natures of the First Ladies: the legend of Dolley Madison's rescue of White House treasures in the war of 1812 crackles with drama; the description of Julia Grant's 29-course White House dinner will give you indigestion; the account of Eleanor Roosevelt's tireless public service and activism is awe-inspiring. Hers is one of many stories of First Ladies who embraced causes to make a difference: Lady Bird Johnson campaigned for the beautification of American cities and highways; Hillary Clinton championed the rights of children; while the librarian Laura Bush has been a tireless advocate of literacy."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.firstladies.org/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies

Patience Wright: America's First Sculptor and Revolutionary Spy

Patience Wright: America's First Sculptor and Revolutionary Spy

Written by: Pegi Deitz Shea
Illustrated by: Bethanne Andersen

"Born in 1725 in the American colonies, Patience Wright discovered her talent for art at an early age. As an adult, she joined her sister in a wax-sculpting business and later moved on her own to England. There, Patience became a spy for the colonies, hiding messages in the sculpted busts she sent to her sister's waxworks in America. Here is the story of a woman who lived an extraordinary life, full of art and intrigue."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2009/01/patience-lovell-wright.html
http://bordentownhistory.org/Current_Exhibits/PatielceWright/index.html

Jeanette Rankin: Political Pioneer

Jeanette Rankin: Political Pioneer

Written by: Gretchen Woelfle

"By any measure, Jeannette Rankin was a woman ahead of her time. She was Montana's representative in Congress before women in other states even had the right to vote. Woelfle does a terrific job introducing Rankin, beginning an attention-grabbing story in which an elderly Rankin, a lifelong pacifist, leads an antiwar protest during the 1970s. Woelfle then moves back in time, restarting the story with an anecdote about young Jeannette sewing up an injured horse on her father's ranch. Readers' interest level will stay high throughout as Rankin finds satisfaction in working as a social worker and then discovers her calling as a crusader for women's rights.

Even during her two short tenures in Congress, Rankin never abandoned her core beliefs; she voted against both World War I and II declarations of war (in the case of the latter, standing alone). The high standard of writing is matched by the book's format. Informative sidebars are well integrated, and from the intense portrait on the cover to the well-chosen photos and historical material, the volume offers interesting things to look at on every page. A time line, a bibliography, and source notes bolster this robust introduction to a fascinating figure."

Booklist Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.gretchenwoelfle.com/jeannette_rankin__political_pioneer_60457.htm

Farmer George Plants a Nation

Farmer George Plants a Nation

Written by: Peggy Thomas
Illustrated by: Layne Johnson

"This picture-book biography focuses on George Washington s life as a farmer, inventor, and scientist. The author also draws many parallels between his role as farmer and as leader. Washington's goal to make his estate self-sufficient carries over to his goal to make the new country independent. Thomas's enthusiasm for her subject is evident in her storytelling-style text. She not only used primary sources in her research, but also included several quotes from Washington's diaries and letters. These quotes are written in large script and inserted appropriately within the text. Johnson's oil paintings support the text while adding a feel of the 18th century. The balanced placement allows both the art and narrative to shine. The author includes useful back matter on visiting Mt. Vernon and an especially enlightening note on George's thoughts on Slavery. Endpapers show a map of Mt. Vernon taken from a drawing transmitted by General Washington. Students will find this title useful for reports, but will also find it a great nonfiction read."

Booklist Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.georgewashingtonwired.org/

Down the Colorado: John Wesley Powell, the One-Armed Explorer

Down the Colorado: John Wesley Powell, the One-Armed Explorer

Written and Illustrated by: Deborah Korgan Ray

"Although John Wesley Powell's minister father always wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, young Wes had different plans for his future. Enraptured by the wonders of the natural world, he was determined to take the path of science. Even after losing his right arm below the elbow in battle during the Civil War, Wes would not be deterred from his dream of leading the first scientific expedition down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon. Braving treacherous rapids and perilous waterfalls, Major Powell would surpass all expectations and return home a national hero.

With breathtaking illustrations and excerpts from Powell's own journals, Deborah Kogan Ray brings to vivid life the exploits and explorations of one of America's greatest conservationists."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://philip.greenspun.com/travel/grand-canyon-rafting

Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Written by: Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by: Greg Shed

"Squanto, friend of the Pilgrims, who taught them how to survive in the New World, has been remembered every November in classrooms across America. Little is known, by most children or adults, of his life and sacrifice. Now Joseph Bruchac tells us the whole story in a beautifully illustrated picture book. He sets the record straight about those hats and the food we continue to eat on Thanksgiving Day, but, more importantly, he makes us aware of how close we came to losing the colony."

Children's Literature Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=757

The First Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving

Written by: Jean Craighead George
Illustrated by: Thomas Locker

"George's consummate skill as a storyteller takes what could have been "just another" Thanksgiving book and raises it above the mundane. Beginning "in a time so long ago that only the rocks remember," she focuses on Plymouth Rock, a 200-ton boulder of Dedham granite, as the loom upon which to weave the heroic and tragic tales of the people who settled this land. The storytelling is direct, filled with details, and firmly grounded in place and time. Quickly drawn but very effective portraits of the times and the people heighten the presentation. Squanto's tragedy is movingly sketched. Readers will not miss the ironic contrast between the fate of the native population and those who came seeking a freer, more tolerant life, but George does not belabor the point, letting the events of history subtly underscore the irony."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.visit-plymouth.com/plymouthrock.htm
http://plimoth.org/kids/stories.php

Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving

Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving

Written by: Ann Mcgovern
Illustrated by: Elroy Freem

"The Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving lasted three whole days. The author's simple text introduces children to the struggles of the Pilgrims during their first year at Plymouth Colony and the events leading to the historic occasion we celebrate today - Thanksgiving."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/

Thank you, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

Thank you, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

Written by: Laurie Halse Anderson
Illustrated by: Matt Faulkner

"We the people of the United States… almost lost Thanksgiving? Yes. That’s right!
Way back when “skirts were long and hats were tall” Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care! Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents?

Join Laurie on a journey of a woman and a pen that spanned four decades, the Civil War, and five presidents, all so you could have your turkey and eat it too!"
1s
Product Description

Online Resources:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngreaders-thank-you-sarah/

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution

Written by: Laurie Halse Anderson
Illustrated by: Mark Faulkner

"Listen up! You've all heard about the great men who led and fought during the American Revolution; but did you know that the guys only make up part of the story? What about the women? The girls? The dames? Didn't they play a part?

Of course they did, and with page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner prove the case in this entertaining, informative, and long overdue homage to those independent dames!"

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngreaders-independent-dames/

The Buffalo Soldier

The Buffalo Soldier

Written by: Sherry Garland
Illustrated by: Ronald Himler

"This heartwarming story of a buffalo soldier’s service to his country during the Indian Wars and Spanish-American War reveals the many hardships these regiments faced. The African-American buffalo soldiers, nicknamed by the Cheyenne Indians because of their curly hair and bravery, joined the six black regiments commissioned by an act of Congress in 1866.

These men, many of whom were former slaves, enlisted in the army to earn a steady income, acquire an education, and gain respect. They protected settlers from hostile Indians, rustlers, outlaws, and bandits and were known for their courage and dedication.

Told through the soldier-narrator’s voice, the details of one buffalo soldier’s life, including what he ate, where he slept, the education he gained on and off the battlefield, and how he spent his hard-earned money, help create a personal and understandable slice of history."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/rediscoveringamerica-buffalosoldiers/
http://blackhistory.50webs.com/buffalosoldiers.html

5,000 Miles to Freedom: Ellen and William Craft's Flight from Slavery

5,000 Miles to Freedom: Ellen and William Craft's Flight from Slavery

Written by: Dennis and Judith Fradin

"Both exciting escape adventure and gripping history, this account of a husband and wife on the run from slavery traces their journey to freedom in the U.S and across the world. Ellen is a light-skinned African American, daughter of the master who raped her mother. Disguised as a wealthy Southern gentleman, she escapes with her husband, William, disguised as her slave, and they travel by train and steamboat to freedom in Boston. When their astonishing story makes the fugitive couple famous, slave catchers come after them, so the Crafts leave for England, where they continue their abolitionist work, until their return home after the Civil War. The Fradins, whose many fine histories include Ida B. Wells (2000), draw heavily on the Crafts' personal accounts to add depth and drama to the carefully documented narrative. The handsome design includes lots of photos, archival artwork, letters, and newspaper accounts."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/wpahome.html

Shades of Gray

Shades of Gray

Written by: Carolyn Reeder

"The Civil War may be over, but for twelve-year-old Will Page, the pain and bitterness haven't ended. How could they have, when the Yankees were responsible for the deaths of everyone in his entire immediate family?

And now Will has to leave his comfortable home in the Shenandoah Valley and live with relatives he has never met, people struggling to eke out a living on their farm in the war-torn Virginia Piedmont. But the worst of it is that Will's uncle Jed had refused to fight for the Confederacy.

At first, Will regards his uncle as a traitor -- or at least a coward. But as they work side by side, Will begins to respect the man. And when he sees his uncle stand up for what he believes in, Will realizes that he must rethink his definition of honor and courage."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://cms.westport.k12.ct.us/cmslmc/resources/authorstudy/shadesofgray.htm
*PDF Novel Study Guide at bottom of page

Bull Run

Bull Run

Written by: Paul Fleischman

"A Civil War drama told in sixteen voices, this ‘is a heartbreaking and remarkably vivid portrait of a war that remains our nation’s bloodiest conflict. Fleischman’s artistry is nothing short of astounding."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/bullrun.html
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/history/us_history/civilwar/

Fields of Fury: The American Civil War

Fields of Fury: The American Civil War

Written by: James McPherson

"Pulitzer Prize award-winning historian James M. McPherson has written for young readers a stirring account of the greatest conflict to happen on our nation's soil, the Civil War, bringing to life the tragic struggle that divided not only a nation, but also friends and family. From the initial Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, to the devastating loss of life at Shiloh as Ulysses S. Grant led the Union to unexpected victory, to the brilliance of Stonewall Jackson's campaign at Shenandoah, to General Pickett's famous charge at Gettysburg, to the Union's triumph at Appomattox Court House, Fields of Fury details the war that helped shape us as a nation.

Also included are personal anecdotes from the soldiers at the battlefront and the civilians at home, as well as profiles of historical luminaries such as Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Ulysses S. Grant. McPherson also explores the varied roles that women played during the war, healthcare on the battlefield, and the demise of slavery.

McPherson's narrative is highlighted with black-and-white photographs taken by Civil War photographers Mathew Brady and Timothy O'Sullivan, period oil paintings, and key campaign and battlefield maps, that make Fields of Fury the consummate book on the American Civil War for young readers."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/civwar.html

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Written by: Jean Fritz

"The history of the Lost Colony is more than a simple tale of settlers who disappeared, leaving a cryptic message behind. Fritz weaves the tangled threads of historical records, the multiple voyages, and the large cast of significant figures into a single narrative that enables children to envision the main events as well as many colorful details. The presentation is surprisingly traditional in some ways, from a Eurocentric reference to America as the "newfound land" to the anecdote (undocumented, as the appended notes acknowledge) about Sir Walter Raleigh's laying his coat across a puddle for Queen Elizabeth. In four chapters, Fritz discusses the English exploration of the region, the settlement on Roanoke Island, the mysterious disappearance of the colonists, and the conjectures, hoaxes, and evidence that have fueled speculation about the colony for 400 years."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/mystery/roanoke_files/frame.htm
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/roanoke1.htm
http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Colonization_Roanoke.html

Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage

Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage

Written by: Peter Arenstam, John Kemp, Catherine O'Neill Grace, & Plimoth Plantation

"Plimoth Plantation and the National Geographic Society come together to tell the true story behind the legendary voyage of the Mayflower. A meticulously researched work, Mayflower 1620 offers children a compelling, fresh account of this much-told story.

Vibrant photography of a rare reenactment using the Mayflower II leads readers imaginatively into the narrative. The vivid and informative text explores the story behind the exhibits at the living-history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Primary sources record what the voyagers wore, what they ate, and telling details of their journey. First-person accounts reveal the hopes and dreams they carried. Readers share in the long hours at sea, and in the dangers faced after landfall. Extensive end notes, a map, a detailed chronology, and a bibliography round out the full story of the Mayflower.

Readers experience a new look at this seminal historical event through the eyes of those who now regularly inhabit the world of the pilgrims—the actors who interpret the Pilgrim Voyage. This eye-opening book teaches children the value of closely reexamining everything we think we know."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.plimoth.org/

1607: A New Look at Jamestown

1607: A New Look at Jamestown

Written by: Karen Lange

"In 1994, scientists unearthed important new evidence about the original Jamestown fort. The work is ongoing and has changed many established ideas about the early settlers. 1607 incorporates these findings and offers a fascinating look at archaeology in action. Color photographs of costumed interpreters and re-created buildings from the Jamestown Settlement living-history museum depict both English and Native American ways of life. Varying perspectives of the period are represented, including evidence that suggests that Native women married English settlers and lived at the fort; how the arrival of English women changed the dynamics of the settlement; and the importance of indentured servants versus the relatively small presence of African slaves. Attractive, engaging, and informative, this title should be in every collection."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=269
http://www.virtualjamestown.org/page2.html

Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607

Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607

Written by: Elisa Carbone

"Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the ship the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he had ever imagined.The lush Virginia shore where they establish the colony of James Town is both beautiful and forbidding, and it’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe. As he learns the language of the Algonquin Indians and observes Captain Smith’s wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.elisacarbone.com/educators/BloodRiverStudyGuide.html

On the Trail of Sacagawea

On the Trail of Sacagawea

Written by: Peter Lourie

"In this handsome book, archaeologist and researcher Lourie chronicles a trip he took with his family along the path of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, beginning where Sacagawea joined the explorers and hoping to compare what exists now with what she might have seen. The family traveled through Native American land where historic sites remain untouched and the people practice traditional customs, fishing in the streams that the explorers fished in, swimming in the same hot springs, and eventually arriving at a reconstructed Fort Clatsop, where the river meets the ocean. Throughout, Lourie intersperses his family's adventures with the history of the Corps of Discovery in a comparison that conveys the rugged beauty and harsh terrain that the explorers must have experienced. The book is illustrated with the author's striking color photographs, as well as paintings and archival photos. An epilogue offers different theories of what became of Sacagawea."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.peterlourie.com/journeys/sacagawea/

How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark

How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark

Written by: Rosalyn Schanzer

"A simplified version of the diaries of Lewis and Clark; in an introduction, Schanzer explains how she condensed much of the excitement and adventure of the 40 volumes into this one. The book follows the route mapped out on the end papers, beginning with President Jefferson's request that the two explore the west, and ending when Lewis and Clark return two years later to St. Charles (near St. Louis), long after everyone thought they'd died. In that time the two men discovered many new animals and plants, met with Indian tribes, and created new maps of the uncharted territories. Schanzer often breaks up the page into a series of vignettes with captions, effectively covering many of their experiences in a small space. Her drawings include portraits of the members of the expedition and other details that make an already authentic text all the richer."

Kirkus Reviews

Online Resources:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/

Sarah Plain and Tall

Sarah Plain and Tall

Written by: Patricia MacLachlan

"Set in the late 19th century a widowed midwestern farmer with two children--Anna and Caleb--advertises for a wife. When Sarah arrives she is homesick for Maine, especially for the ocean which she misses greatly. The children fear that she will not stay, and when she goes off to town alone, young Caleb--whose mother died during childbirth--is stricken with the fear that she has gone for good. But she returns with colored pencils to illustrate for them the beauty of Maine, and to explain that, though she misses her home, "the truth of it is I would miss you more." The tale gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love."

Amazon.com Review

Online Resources:
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/reading3/sarah.htm

Words West: The Voices of Young Pioneers

Words West: The Voices of Young Pioneers

Written by: Ginger Wadsworth

"This book records the thoughts and feelings of the pioneer children who traveled west between 1830 and 1870 in wagon trains. They often encountered severe heat and extreme cold, hostile Indians, the death of friends and family, terrible illnesses, and great hunger. They also witnessed the beauty of the untouched West. The letters , diaries, and memoirs of these children and young people quoted in this book tell their stories in their own words. They are accompanied by archival photographs and prints. Together the stories and pictures help today's children and young people understand their counterparts from another era. A great primary source for those studying the pioneer period of history."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.gingerwadsworth.com/
*Scroll to bottom of page for additional links

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art

Written by: Diane Siebert
Illustrated by: Stephen T. Johnson

"From New Hampshire's formidable Mount Washington to San Francisco’s spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, the scenic treasures of the United States are brilliantly captured in this artistic tour de force. Award-winning poet Diane Seibert's inventive poems are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor–recipient Stephen Johnson's compelling imagery. Each turn of the page offers a surprise—whether it's an impressionistic painting of Niagara Falls, a wild collage of Las Vegas, or an evocative tallgrass prairie landscape. Additional facts about each site and a list of art media are provided, making this distinguished volume a gem for the study of literature, art, history, or geography."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/25-reference/440-landmarks.html
http://www.kids.gov/k_5/k_5_fun_recreation.shtml

The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons

The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons

Written by: Nancy Bo Flood

"For the Navajo people, the new year begins in October, when summer meets winter. The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons follows the Navajo calendar, and provides poetic descriptions of the many sights, sounds, and activities associated with each month. In November, there are string games and stories; in April, planting of corn, beans, and squash; and in July, rodeos and monsoon rains. Follow Coyote through the year, and explore how the Navajos observe the rites and passages of each month."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://navajopeople.org/

The Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman and a Faithful History of the Oregon Trail

The Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman and a Faithful History of the Oregon Trail

Written by: Cheryl Harness

"When she was a young girl, Narcissa loved nothing better than to read heroic tales about brave men and women risking their lives to bring Christian ideas to "barbarians" in far-off places. In 1831, her dream of doing the same was about to come true. That's when some Indians arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, looking for the "White Man's Book of Heaven." Their quest was the answer to Narcissa's prayers: She would bring salvation to "those wandering sons of our native forests. "

Narcissa married Marcus Whitman, another missionary want-to-be, and they headed West. She spent her honeymoon riding side-saddle some 2,000 miles across the vast, often perilous trail to Oregon Country—something no other white woman had ever done. Then she and Marcus lived happily ever after singing hymns and teaching the Indians about the Bible, right? Wrong! Readers will find out what really happened when East met West at the end of the real-life, legendary Oregon Trail."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/whitman.htm
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/two/whitman0.htm

The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish and the Amazing-but-True Survival Story of Plymouth Colony

The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish and the Amazing-but-True Survival Story of Plymouth Colony

Written by: Cheryl Harness

"Instead of a standard biography, Harness chronicles the history of the Plymouth Pilgrims from their troubles in England to their first years in North America, with the focus on Standish. Separating documented history from speculation, the narrative explains religious movements, introduces key figures, and gives a balanced account of Pilgrim-Indian relationships. In contrast to many Pilgrim histories, the tone is casual (e.g., "Without Squanto the translator, these English wouldn't be able to go around getting cozy with everybody, messing up the balance of power.") Harness' familiar detailed pictures appear here as prints. A bibliography of resources is appended, along with lists of Mayflower passengers, recommended Web sites and places to visit. A reader-friendly approach to history."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/Passengers/MylesStandish.php

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust

Written by: Karen Hesse

"Set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, this is the story of 14 year old Billie Jo. Told in diary form as a series of free-verse poems, the book is a realistic portrait of the Depression-era with entries dated from the winter of 1934 through the winter of 1935. Readers explore the hardships of living on a family wheat farm. Billie Jo's mother dies after an accident with burning kerosene and Billie Jo blames herself and her father for her mother's death. Billie Jo is a talented pianist, but is reluctant to play after burns scar her hands. She leaves home, but soon learns how much "dust" is a part of her. We can almost feel the heat, dust, and wind as she struggles to survive a difficult time."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://eduscapes.com/newbery/98a.html

Civil War

Civil War

Written by: Martin Sandler

"During the years 1861-1865, America was a nation torn apart by war. From terrible land combat to fierce battles at sea; from mothers losing sons to brothers fighting brothers--this was a conflict that profoundly affected all that it touched...and changed our nation forever. From the archives of the Library of Congress, often called "the Storehouse of the national memory," here are over one hundred vintage posters, paintings, and photographs that bring the events of the Civil War vividly to life. Witness the scenes and encounters the words of those caught up in a nations at war with itself."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/ushistory/civilwar.html

Pink and Say

Pink and Say

Written and Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

"This a story of interracial friendship during the Civil War between two 15-year-old Union soldiers. Say, who is white and poor, tells how he is rescued by Pinkus (Pink), who carries the wounded Say back to the Georgia home where Pink's black family were slaves. In a kind of idyllic interlude, Pink and his mother nurse Say back to health, and Pink teaches his friend to read; but before they can leave, marauders kill Pink's mother and drag the boys to Andersonville prison. Pink is hanged, but Say survives to tell the story and pass it on across generations."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=975
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/acquiring-vocabulary-through-book-170.html

Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington 1837-1863

Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington 1837-1863

Written and Illustrated by: Cheryl Harness

"Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington paints a vivid picture of the Springfield, IL years, when Abe met and married a pretty Kentucky woman, and made his name as a lawyer and politician. Cheryl Harness gives readers a moving account of Lincoln’s rise and the tensions that dragged the nation into conflict; brilliantly detailed maps and battle scenes deepen our understanding of the Civil War; and the book’s richly imagined illustrations recreate the life of the man who will always be regarded as one of our greatest presidents."

Scholastic Review

Online Resources:
http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/index.html

Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave

Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave

Written by: Virginia Hamilton

"In this historical look at the life of Anthony Burns, an escaped slave who flees to Boston in 1854, author Virginia Hamilton evokes a stunning portrayal of human hope and compassion. Twenty-year-old Anthony Burns is, at last, an escaped slave, yet a new story of struggle is just beginning. Arrested at the insistence of his owner, Anthony is put on trial under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Readers sail back through time and are introduced to the chain of events that divided the city, and caused lawyers, ministers, and "ordinary people" to stand up and speak out in order to prevent Burns from being returned to his owner. Hamilton focuses on how Burns remains a man of integrity and strength in the face of frequent mistreatment, and in doing so, gives readers the pure essence of his character — providing a more personal and intimate look at a man who made a nation pause and consider its own political agenda. A truly riveting historical novel that brings the issues of race and prejudice to the surface."

Scholastic Book Review

Online Resources:
http://www.virginiahamilton.com/virginia-hamilton-books/anthony-burns/
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=485

True Stories about Abraham Lincoln

True Stories about Abraham Lincoln

Written by: Ruth Belov Gross
Illustrated by: Charles Turzak

"This book includes a series of short stories that emphasize aspects of Lincoln’s life, especially his early years."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://lincoln.georgetowncollege.edu/fifth/lesson1.htm
http://lincoln.georgetowncollege.edu/fifth/lesson2.htm

When This Cruel War Is Over: The Civil War Home Front

When This Cruel War Is Over: The Civil War Home Front

Written by: Duane Damon

"The civilians in the North and South were sorely tested during the Civil War. This book tells how they endured and how they assisted during four years of war. There were women who tended the wounded, artists who captured events with their pencils and sketchbooks, and slaves who fought in the Union army. The horrors of this war-the ravage of cities and waste of human lives is soulfully captured. A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies and part of the "People's History" series."

Children's Literature Review

Online Resources:
http://www.theteachersguide.com/Civilwarlessons.html

Those Remarkable Women of the American Revolution

Those Remarkable Women of the American Revolution

Written by: Karen Zeinert

"Zeinert chronicles the many contributions made by women during the Revolutionary War. She describes the role of both patriots and loyalists; black and Indian women; Northern women as well as those on Southern plantations, showing how the war forced them to assume nontraditional roles, such as protecting the homefront and taking on men's duties like farming and keeping the books."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/women_american_revolution/
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets.html