Japan in the 1800's was a mystery to the rest of the world. The country was truly isolationists - no Japanese person who left its shores was allowed to return. Not for any reason. Japanese rulers told their people the world outside Japan was dangerous - full of demons, barbarians and monsters. And soon, fourteen-year-old... Continue Reading →
The Arrow Over the Door
The Arrow Over the Door by Joseph Bruchac is a fictionalized version of a true story. In 1777, the American Revolution was in full swing. People in America were choosing sides, and both sides disliked the Quakers because they resolutely chose no side. Samuel Russell feels the sting of his neighbor's displeasure, and struggles to... Continue Reading →
Lincoln: A Photobiography
This may be an odd choice as a rockin' kids book, but my kids enjoyed it. All four of them. (Of course, my kids adore museums too, which makes them a tad geeky - but that's just fine with me!) So what book deserves that qualifier? Lincoln: a Photobiography by Russell Freedman. I think my... Continue Reading →
Bad News for Outlaws
In Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells the story of Bass Reeves, one of the first Deputy U.S. Marshals in Indian Territory. Reeves grew up as a slave, but after the Civil War settled down in Indian Territory. He was U.S. Marshall for... Continue Reading →
Little Critter
When my kids were little, some of the books we read over and over and over again were Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books. Little Critter is a... well... critter who finds growing up hard at times. He tries his best, but makes mistakes. He learns to love his little sister in The New Baby. He... Continue Reading →
The Cabin Faced West
Author Jean Fritz grew up in China, which she credits for her obsession with American history. She's written many children's books about American history, and I've enjoyed every one I've read. (See my review of several of her books, including What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? here.) My children read The Cabin Faced West for... Continue Reading →
Patricia Polacco
I discovered Patricia Polacco when writing a book review on books about the Civil War. Polacco wrote a deeply moving picture book about a friendship between two boys in the Civil War, one from Michigan and one a runaway slave, called Pink and Say. (Pink and Say is not for younger children - I'd wait... Continue Reading →
Misty of Chincoteague
If the children in your life love horses, they will love Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. (By the way, it's pronounced chink-o-teeg) The story follows Paul and Maureen, two children on Chincoteague Island in Virginia who desperately want to buy a wild horse from Assateaugue (ass-a-teeg) Island. They work very hard, finding odd jobs... Continue Reading →
Usborne Book of World History
The book my seven-year-old is most likely to pick out for read-aloud time (even outside of school time) is The Usborne Book of World History from Usborne Publishers. Obviously, my seven-year-old loves history. He loves it so much that our copy of World History is about to fall apart. Do not be afraid to start... Continue Reading →
Pompeii… Buried Alive!
Students of history have long been fascinated by the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. The nearby volcano, Vesuvius, erupted in 79 AD, burying the city and its inhabitants under several feet of volcanic ash and sediment. People quickly forgot about the city, and it lay buried for nearly two-thousand years. As people started reading Pliny... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 