You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist!Author: Morley, Jacqueline
Title: You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist! Illustrator: Antram, David Publisher and Publication Date: Children's Press, Sept. 1, 2004\ Genre: Nonfiction Recommended Audience:: Grades 3-5 Plot Summary: What was it like to be one of the first colonists in Jamestown in the 17th century? This title illustrates the hardships and labor of early settlers in America, depicts their battles with the Algonquians to claim land that was not theirs, and highlights such leaders as Captain John Smith. Personal Reaction/Evaluation: This book is both entertaining and informative. It is a great read for students learning about the colonies. Memorable Literary Element: The book contains an index and glossary in order to assist reluctant readers with the content. Illustrations: Illustrations are created in comical cartoons to draw humor into the historical context. Review: Goodreads: ""You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist" by Jacqueline Morley is a humorous book that tells the struggles the early American settlers faced in the 17th century. While reading this book, students will learn about Captain John Smith and Jamestown which serves as a nice introduction to the topic of colonists in America. Some students might be intimidated by history, but this book does a good job at making it light, as well as informative. I recommend this book for 4th or 5th grade when students begin to learn more about the colonies and the formation of America." Promotion Idea: This is a great read aloud to do when introducing or discussing the colonies. This could also be used in a Colonial display for Columbus Day. |
George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both SidesAuthor: Schanzer, Rosalyn
Title: George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides Illustrator: Schanzer, Rosalyn Publisher and Publication Date: National Geographic Children's Books, January 9, 2007 \ Genre: Informational Recommended Audience:: Grades 4-7 Plot Summary: The book introduces the two enemies, both named George: George Washington, the man who freed the American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. Two leaders on different sides of the Atlantic, yet with more in common than we sometimes acknowledge. Personal Reaction/Evaluation: This is a great book to read, especially if discussing the American Revolution! There is a lot of information in this book, so if conducting a read aloud, one would need to choose what to read. Memorable Literary Element: This story is perfect for point of view. The reader can see the American Revolution from the eyes of George Washington and King George III. It is also a great story to use as an example for Compare and Contrast text structure. Illustrations: The illustrations and quote bubbles help to bring the American Revolution to life. Review: Goodreads: "This book gives both sides to the American Revolution. It talks about how King George the third and George Washington were similar in many ways and gives background information on each. The book also shows how government worked in England and how government worked in America. It talks about the taxes which were put on the colonies, the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act. There is a section on what event caused the war and then what happened during the war. The books gives information on the rebel forces and the British forces. The book ends with the final battle and a “What Ever Happened to King George?” section. I thought that the book had many different little known facts and anecdotes that would be interesting to students while they read the book. There was also many different quotes from famous people in the American Revolution. This book did a great job of comparing the two sides of this war. You got to see King George the third and what he believed. Then you also got to see what George Washington and what he believed. Then it gave you the comparison of the armies and the two governments." Promotion Idea: This book is an excellent book to read during a study of the American Revolution. It is also a great book to use when teaching text structures, as it is written in Compare and Contrast structure. |
Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham LincolnAuthor: Rapport, Doreen
Title: Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln Illustrator: Nelson, Kadir Publisher and Publication Date: Disney Hyperion, Nov. 2008\ Genre: Biography Recommended Audience:: Grades 2-6 Plot Summary: From the time he was a young boy, Abraham Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was deeply wrong. Despite the obstacles he faced as a self-educated man from the back woods, Lincoln persevered in his political career, and his compassion and honesty gradually earned him the trust of many Americans. As president, he guided the nation through a long and bitter civil war and penned the document that would lead to the end of slavery in the United States Personal Reaction/Evaluation: This book was a excellent read, and very informative about Lincoln's life. It depicts his life from birth until death. I think it would be the perfect book to read when studying slavery, the Civil War, or a history of different presidents. Memorable Literary Element: The book is full of Lincoln's quotes. This literary element can be used to practice quotations as well as study Lincoln's character by determining what he did or did not say with a quotations activity. Illustrations: The illustrations are paintings that depict the time frame perfectly. Review: Goodreads: "Abe’s Honest Words, The Life of Abraham Lincoln tells the history of our 16th president from his birth in Kentucky to his assassination in 1865. The author tells the story, inserting Lincoln’s words from speeches throughout. This gives the reader and listener a close connection to the man and the sequence of events during this memorable time." Promotion Idea: The book would be perfect on a display with other books about the presidents for Presidents' Day. |
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald |