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