Tag Archives: history

Never Forgotten

Posted on April 24, 2012 by

When Dinga’s beloved son goes missing, Fire, Water and Wind are the only ones who can tell him about the African thieves, The Middle Passage and slave culture in America. While Dinga mourns the taken Musafa, his son never forgets … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Set in apartheid South Africa, Journey to Jo’burg chronicles the journey of Naledi and Tiro, brother and sister, as they make their way to Johannesburg from their village. The 200 kilometer trip is dangerous for children who have never been … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, historical, social issues | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Fun with Roman Numerals

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

Some kids don’t learn Roman numerals in school, and that’s a shame.  Here’s the book to rectify that:  Fun with Roman Numerals by David A. Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller III, who conveniently has Roman numerals after his name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfiction | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Inside Out & Back Again

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

National Book Award winner Thanhha Lai’s beautiful book, Inside Out & Back Again, is Hà’s poetic lament through the Vietnam War, escaping her country and starting life in Alabama as a sponsored refugee family while not knowing the fate of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, historical, Poetry, social issues, strong characters | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

A true hero of the Wild West, Bass Reeves captured many outlaws from 1875 to 1907.  Filled with integrity, Bass Reeves’s bravery and ingenuity made for great true stories written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Resolve to be honest at all events and if you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.  Choose some other occupations. Abraham Lincoln’s own words are sprinkled throughout the text in this beautiful biography, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books, Word choice | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

These Hands

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

Grandpa’s hands can tie shoes, play the piano and throw a curve ball, but they were not allowed to touch the bread dough at the Wonder Bread factory in the 1950s and early ’60s.  As Grandpa lyrically relates to Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, historical, Michigan author/illustrator, Picture books, Poetry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Turtle in Paradise

Posted on July 28, 2011 by

In Key West, 1935, everyone has crazy nicknames:  Turtle, Kermit, Pork Chop and Beans. Even Ernest Hemingway cameos as Papa. Jennifer L. Holm creates a swashbuckling adventure in this perfect summer read for kids. Hailing from New Jersey, Turtle is … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, historical, strong characters, Voice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Song of the Trees

Posted on April 21, 2011 by

Mildred Taylor’s first book, Song of the Trees, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, is full of vivid characters (the Logan family) and vivid landscape.  Cassie and her family are bullied into letting their trees be cut down for profit, until David … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, historical, Love that art, Series, social issues, strong characters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Underground to Canada

Posted on April 11, 2011 by

Extensive research went into Barbara Smucker’s Underground to Canada, which is about four people escaping slavery by following the underground railroad to freedom. Shockingly realistic, Julilly, Liza, Adam and Lester’s heartrending trip toward freedom in the face of slave catchers … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian author/illustrator, Character-driven, Children's novels, historical, social issues, strong characters | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment