John, Paul, George, and Ben

Author and Illustrator: Lane Smith

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Publication Date: 2006

Genre: Historical fiction, picture book

Audience: Gr. 2-4

Overview: This is a historical fiction picture book about 5 of our founding fathers and what they were like as children.  The book is concluded by adding true historical facts about each one and gives a little insight into American History.  It has great illustrations and the different size fonts will keep the reader interested the entire time.

Activity: Have each child draw a picture of themselves and write about the things that they are good at that might help them later on in life.

Reviewer’s Name: Sarah Garretson

Woolly Mammoth

Author/Illustrator: Mick Manning and Brita Granström

Publisher: http://www.franceslincoln.com/Book/6238/1/Woolly%20Mammoth

Publication Date: 2009

Genre: Animals, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Audience: Gr. Pre-K-2

Overview: A creative story about hard life of the ancient woolly mammoth. This book is a comprehensive teaching tool, which includes additional facts about this interesting animal on each page.

Activity: Have students research facts about an endangered animal. Have them share their animal with the rest of the class.  Discuss why it’s important to protect endangered species.

Reviewer’s Name: Kristin Gowing

Treasure Island

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Publisher: The Penguin Group

Publication Date: 1883

Genre: Historical Fiction

Audience: Gr. Young Adult

Overview: Jim Hawkins embarks on a quest for hidden treasure aboard the Hispaniola after discovering Captain Flint’s sea chest which contains a treasure map. As Jim, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey set sail in search of the secret island, they are unaware of the mutinous pirates led by Long John Silver aboard the ship. This adventure of the high seas is bursting with action and humor.

Activity: Use the novel to introduce a history lesson on piracy. Have students write a chapter 35 in which they explain what Jim chooses to do with his treasure; Or, have students write an essay about what they would do with the treasure if they were Jim.

Reviewer’s Name: Kate Williams

Geronimo

Author: Joseph Bruchac
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication Date: 2006
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audience: Gr. 4+
Awards: Spur Award

Overview: Based on the primary documents about the great Chiricahua Apache chief, this story gives a perspective the history books don’t often reflect. Bruchac’s storytelling style is appealing to young adult readers, using factual events from Geronimo’s life.

Reviewer’s Name: Deb Marciano

Letters from Vinnie

Author: Maureen Stack Sappey
Publisher: Calkins Creek
Publication Date: 1999
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Audience: Gr. 4+
Awards: NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People; National League of American Pen Women; New York Public Library – Books for the Teen Age

Overview: Vinnie Ream accomplished something few women of her time ever even imagined. In this fictionalized account of Ream’s life, the author engages readers in the story of this young woman who, at 18 years old, began sculpting the statue of Lincoln that stands today in the US Capitol. Through beautifully crafted letters to Vinnie’s friend, Regina, this book reflects feminism during the Civil War time period.

Activity: 2007 marks the 150th birthday of Vinnie Ream, providing a wonderful opportunity to find out about this young woman’s intellectual curiosity, determination, compassion. Students can write their own histories in the style of Vinnie’s letters, and learn more about the sculpture of President Lincoln.

Reviewer’s Name: Deb Marciano

Granddaddy’s Street Songs

Author/Illustrator: Monalisa DeGross, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Jump At The Sun, a division of Hyperion Books
Publication Date: 1999
Awards: Black-eyed Susan Award
Genre: Historical fiction, picture book
Audience: Gr. 3+

Overview: In this historical fiction book set in Baltimore, a grandfather tells his grandson stories from long ago when he was a fruit and vegetable vender. The grandfather shares the special songs he used to sing to entice customers. The lyrical sound of this book and vivid pictures tell a great story about the history of this specific African American community. The beautiful pictures and crafted words will excite listeners, young and old. This is a great read-aloud book and a good example of a multi-cultural book that entertains while opening readers’ eyes to a culture with which they may not be familiar. The regional significance of this book makes it nationally relevant, but a must read for all Baltimorians and their children.

Activity: Children can try to create their own rhyme that a vender might sing. Practice and then perform the songs, as if they are calling customers just as the grandfather did in the story.

Reviewer’s Name: Sarah DeVan

Miss Crandall’s School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color

Author/Illustrator: Elizabeth Alexander & Marilyn Nelson (illus) Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Word Song
Publication Date: 2007
Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction
Audience: Gr. 4+

Overview: When Miss Crandall was invited to start a school, in 1831 in Canterbury, CT. her students were wealthy white girls. The following year, the school’s African American housekeeper took classes, joined by her sister-in-law. The white townspeople were in an uproar, Miss Crandall and her students were ostracized, and she was tried for her “crimes” of teaching non-white students. The authors have told the stories of students and townspeople, in sonnets accompanied by soft, expressive watercolors by Floyd Cooper. The story is gripping, as humans turn against one another in this story of the town’s battle of racism.

Activity: Since the sonnets tell individual stories within the larger one, ask readers to listen carefully to the voices in each poem. Discuss how sharing the background information in the beginning of the book, helps to situate each story. Provide opportunity for readers to try their own sonnet, reflecting on an emotional event in their own lives.

Can be used in conjunction with The Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students (also reviewed on BLOG BLOG).

Reviewer’s Name: Deb Marciano