A Picture
Book of Amelia Earhart by David A. Adler
Age Level: 6
& up
This is an
awesome book that tells the story of “the first woman to cross the Atlantic and
Pacific Ocean” by airplane. It tells the biography of Amelia as well as her
quest and determination. She was a very courageous woman that stood up for women’s’
rights and challenged others to take risks. Illustrations are colorful, and
this book would be great for any student looking to find information on Amelia
Earhart and what she contributed to the aviation world.
A Picture
Book of Robert E. Lee is another one of David A. Adler’s many picture
biography books. This tells the life story of military officer Robert E. Lee.
He was named lieutenant colonel, superintendent, and appointed commander of the
army in Virginia. He fought for his hometown, the Confederates, during the
Civil War but always remained a “dignified…American” throughout. Although he
fought the North and attacked them, he felt slavery was evil and was torn as to
which side to fight for. He was looked at as a very brave, wise leader. Illustrations
are decent; not full page like Amelia Earhart’s biography (published four years
apart).
Age Level: 6
& up
A Picture
Book of Benjamin Franklin by David A. Adler
Age Level: 6
& up
This book is
cool because Benjamin Franklin was such an amazing guy. He did so much for so
many people and really was ahead of his time. In my opinion, he was brilliant! He
had his hand in almost everything: he was a printer, he wrote a famous almanac,
he helped set up the first lending library and hospital as well as Philadelphia’s
first fire and police departments, he invented many, many things, he spoke to
England and France and tried to get them to help Americans, he wrote the
Declaration of Independence, he spoke out against slavery…the list goes on and
on! Could you imagine if we had a present-day Ben Franklin?! He was beyond
successful in so many different ways- there aren’t words to describe him! But
Adler does a great job supplying the reader with such interesting facts.
Pink and
Say by Patricia Polacco
Reading
Level: Ages 6 & up
Pink and
Say is about two soldiers, Pinkus “Pink” and Sheldon “Say”. Say is rescued
by Pink when he is shot in the leg during a battle. Say brings him back to his
house and introduces him to his mother Moe Moe Bay who helps nurse him back to
health. Say is embarrassed to admit to Pink that he can’t read but tells them
that he’s done something important: shook President Lincoln’s hand. He is scared
to go back to fighting but when the marauders find and kill Moe Moe Bay, he tries
to be brave and they set out. The boys get taken prisoners of the Confederate
Army not short after and are separated. Say is released months later but Pink
never makes it. He was hanged; his last words to Say are “let me touch the hand
that touched Mr. Lincoln”. Sheldon tells the true story to his daughter Rosa,
Patricia Polacco’s great-grandmother! Patricia dedicates the book to Pinkus and
asks for the readers to vow to remember him always. That is so neat to honor
him like that. I love Patricia Polacco books; her writing styles and her
illustrations. She also adds, what I think are, real family photographs to her
books which is really cool. Awesome book.
Betty
Doll by Patricia Polacco is a story of a doll made by Patricia Polacco’s
mother and grandmother. The doll, Betty Doll, had been Mary Ellen’s, Patricia’s
mother, best friend and joined her throughout her life and saw every adventure
with her. She was a comfort to Mary Ellen whenever she needed it, and Mary
Ellen passed Betty Doll on to Patricia knowing that she would need Betty Doll’s
comfort once she passed away. This is a true story and is very touching and
sweet. The illustrations are so great because the whole book is in black-and-white
with only Betty Doll being in color. It really gives a cool effect.
Age Level:
Ages 4 & up
Confessions
of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig
Reading
Level: Ages 8 & up
I loved,
loved, loved this book! It is a must read for everybody, everywhere – of all
ages: young kids, older kids, even parents. Bullying is an epidemic that has
reached a sad, sad place. As an elementary teacher I see this happening every
single day – not physical bullying, but verbal and emotional bullying. This book
has great “tools” that children can follow if put in a bullying situation. It also
explains that there are behaviors that you may use that are hurtful without
even realizing so. It’s neat because it comes across from the view of a child,
and has expressions that are so common and realistic without sounding made-up
for a story. This is a must-read to students!
The Man Who
Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
Interest
Level: Pre-K – Grade 3
Caldecott
Award Winner
I could definitely
see why this won the Caldecott Award! The pictures are amazing. This is
a true story of a man Philippe who walked on a tightrope between the World Trade
Center buildings in 1974. I couldn’t believe this was a true story and
researched it and found out it is indeed true. How crazy is that?! The illustrations
of New York City are breathtaking.
Abe’s
Honest Words Doreen Rappaport
Age Range
7-9 years old
The illustrations
in this book are awesome; they are drawn but look so real! The attention to
detail by the illustrator really shines through. This book explains the life of
Abraham Lincoln and his part in freeing the slaves and ending slavery, in
simpler words for children. “People felt he spoke from his heart” sums up
Abraham’s honesty and integrity; he stood up for what he felt was right even if
others didn’t agree, or it wasn’t the popular view. It’s worded perfectly to lead
to discussions on this time period and the significant role Mr. Lincoln played
during it.
Wash Day
by Barbara H. Cole
Age Level: 5
& up
Wash Day
tells the story of a little boy and his grandfather, Mrs. Ett, their hired
help, and her grandson, Sherman. The two
little boys and Mrs. Ett enjoy listening to the grandfather play his trumpet to
keep the boys occupied and away from the fire on wash days. Sherman wishes for
a trumpet for Christmas but times are tough for the family, especially when
their house burns down. Then grandfather has a stroke and can no longer play
the trumpet so he passes it on to Mrs. Ett’s grandson. Sherman makes everyone
happy again by playing grandpa’s trumpet. The story ends without saying what
happens to grandpa; I thought he was going to pass away, but it doesn’t tell
the reader if he does. It is still a nice, sweet story.
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