Morley, Jacqueline. You Wouldn’t Want to be an American Pioneer! rev ed.

Morley, Jacqueline.  You Wouldn’t Want to be an American Pioneer!  rev ed. Scholastic/ Watts  34p            $21.75  978-0-531-27500-9         2013      ms           E-Bnes  series: You Wouldn't Want To Be  Nonfiction     

Comical illustrations support this children’s book about the journey westward over land.  Instead of painting the picture of an adventure which was worth the trip, the book describes the journey as it really was, fraught with hardship at every turn.  With visual aids that are uniquely humorous and educational, this book provides a look at the many obstacles facing the pioneer who wanted to venture west.  Other details include a look at the necessary equipment, the supportive role of animals, and the hardships faced by men, women and children who made the journey.  The timeline on the inside cover helps young readers establish a timeframe, and a map of the western trails shows the various routes that pioneers took to reach the western seaboard.  This book is as creative as a comic book with a glimpse at history thrown in!  The reader never feels inundated with information; instead, he or she enjoys a present-tense text that places him/her into an era of American history that is both adventurous and dangerous!  “Handy Hints” offers helpful advice along the way, but one of the best parts is the detail in each illustration.  Children will enjoy studying the visuals to see the facial expressions on both the animals and humans, to compare the text to the pictures, and to read the creative and often humorous dialogue.  Each two-page spread presents new information about topics like sandstorms, Indians, stampedes and mealtimes.  If the task of a social-studies teacher is to get children to enjoy reading and learning American history, this book provides the solution.  It is user-friendly, innovative and enjoyable!  The glossary and index are followed by the enumeration of a few of the factors that pushed Americans to venture west:  financial problems, epidemics, and the Civil War.  The contributions of top American pioneers are summarized, and some trivia about various trails concludes the volume.
American history-Westward expansion.                                                              --Martha Squaresky

 

Bertozzi, Nick Lewis and Clark.

Bertozzi, Nick Lewis and Clark.
First Second (macmillan) 2011 136p 16.99
978-0-59643-450-9 Graphic novel E-BN
A graphic novel about the Lewis and Clark expedition especially for reluctant readers who will enjoy while learning about history.
The graphic novel Lewis and Clark introduces the historical characters of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. These two men paired up to go on an exploratory discovery trip across the wilderness of America in 1804. Their goal was to find a route that would take them clear across the wilderness to the Pacific Coast.
Through the cartoons the reader will be able to share in the experience the team of Lewis & Clark participated in to trek across unknown country. They encountered Native Americans, some willing to be friends others who were hostile. They saw herds of Buffalos. They travels through rivers, creeks, mountains, desserts and plains. They lost a few men along the way and took in travelers going their way. They met a Shoshone Indian girl by the name of Sacagawea. This young woman would be instrumental in helping Lewis and Clark achieve the goal of reaching the Pacific coast.
Merriweather Lewis was not a patient man and more often than not he was impatient and stern, however he kept his goal as his focus to keep himself and his team always on task. Clark was calmer and able to keep his head in difficult situations.
The novel is quite detailed and although it is only in black and white you can almost imagine the majestic views of the wonders they saw as they discovered each part of the trail. You also get a glimpse the trials and tribulations of men trying to get along as they walk towards the unknown. They faced personality clashes, fights, arguments, sickness, fear, anxiety, agitation, panic, impatience and sometimes disloyalty. The novel spares non of this so that the reader actually feels what might have been the feelings of uncertainty as they explored a territory unknown to any white man from the east coast. Diaz, Magna

Crows & Cards.

Deseve, Peter. Crows & Cards.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 344p 16.00
978-0-618-88395-0 ms/jr

In 1849, Zeb's parents ship him off to St. Louis to apprentice with a tanner. Life presents many obstacles for Zeb. He ends up being apprenticed to a gambler and befriended by an Indian and slave.
The well written and exciting story provides the reader with a good understanding of life on the Mississippi during the expansion of the West. It also shows how young folks just starting out in the world need guidance because they find it hard to make correct choices. Zeb found himself in a situation where he felt cheating was not right although his mentor was smooth talking when he explained the benefits of relieving men of their wealth.
It is a story where Zeb learns that doing the right thing is the right thing to do. LM

A Musical Journey in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark by Anne and Ridley Enslow

Enslow, Anne and Ridley. A Musical Journey in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark.
Enslow, 2008, 128p, $31.93, 978-0-7660-3288-0.

In the introduction to this unique musical journey, Professor Gary Mouton states that while Lewis & Clark and their entourage have been studied and applauded for their accomplishments, “the story of the party’s music has remained largely an unexplored landscape.” By using music of the era, including Mandan music, as well as earlier music that the Corps would have been familiar with, students can appreciate the role of music as part of the expedition. The Corps members themselves, in their journals, noted that music was a form of entertainment. Many students are familiar with primary source documents but perhaps do not realize that music itself is a primary source. In addition to the cd containing thirty selections, the authors have provided a teacher’s guide that provides activities and connections to music, American history and English curriculums. The cd is also accompanied by a detailed booklet with color photographs, maps, chapter notes and side bars, that relates the musical selection to a specific event or timeline of the expedition, and provides excellent background information for the teacher to present and use the selections in class. Lyrics to some of the songs are included. The musicians have recreated the period music with intensity and meticulous attention to detail. Listening to the music that was part of the lives of the intrepid expedition may help students musically experience the joys and tragedies of the expedition.
Discusses the role of music in the 1804-06 expedition led by Lewis & Clark, and provides examples of music, including lyrics, common at the time. RZ

The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire by Suzane Lieurance

Lieurance, Suzanne. The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.
Enslow, 2008, 160p, $27.93, 978-0-7660-2928-6
Historical-ficton, garment_industry, working_conditions, American_history, Enslow, Lieurance, teacher’s_guide, “Triangle_Shirtwaist_Fire”

This is a historical fiction book that provides an insight into the tragic event that occurred on March 25, 1911 in a New York City garment factory fire.
The author has created an insightful story that will appeal to young readers as well as providing them with a clear understanding of the working conditions at the time. The trials and stresses of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family are accurately portrayed so that the reader can understand the poor working conditions and cultural disconnects.
One of the most important aspects of this series is the support .pdf for educators. In today’s busy schools it is so hard to fit everything into the schedule. Teachers will be most appreciative of the tools and support provided for them.
The book is appropriate for ages 9-12. American history is taught in both the upper elementary grades and middle schools. Some districts are getting away from syncing a period of history to a particular grade. They have developed a series of themes that occur throughout history. It would benefit Enslow to make this book more appropriate to a wider range of students by simply changing some details. Lower ability students in higher grades would read this book except for the picture of the girl on the front cover. She looks young (granted she was). Changing the cover by keeping it the same with the exception of sketching the girl in black/white in the graphic novel style so popular today might do the trick. The people on the cover of the first two books would fit into any grade through high school because the individual don’t look juvenile.
Lastly there is an undocumented rule for fiction by students. “They want a book that is 100 pages or less for their reports.” The book’s size and text are appropriate. However the book itself is all text. It needs some sketches or graphics to breakup the pages or introduces chapters. Most readers would like a little eye candy along the way.
This is the third in the HFA series. I have read the other two books and find them excellent books for upper elementary and middle school readers. LM

Our Liberty Bell

Magaziner, Henry James. Our Liberty Bell. Holiday House, 2007, 32p., $15.95. 978-0-8234-1892-3
Outlines the history of the Liberty Bell, one of the nation’s most important symbols of freedom.
Everyone knows the Liberty Bell has a crack and that it is a symbol of American freedom. What they may not know is that the bell has a long and storied history beyond its obvious flaw. Magaziner’s research provides a readable, entertaining and factual understanding of the bell and the role it continues to play in our nation’s identity. The larger text, accompanied by O’Brien’s trademark humorous pen and ink drawings (John Hancock’s large signature runs off the Declaration, onto the table and drapes on to the floor) will draw readers in to the fascinating history of the Liberty Bell. Cast at a foundry in England in 1752, the bell cracked on it first ring. When the captain of the ship that transported the bell refused to return it to England, the Pennsylvania Assembly had the bell recast in a local foundry, with a slight alteration to the inscription. The first recasting produced a dreadful sound, so it was recast again, this time succesfully. The author discusses the importance of bells as a means of imparting important news and he describes how the Liberty Bell was used to declare important events such as the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Lexington and the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The bell continued to toll for important events up to 1846, when it irreparabily cracked while tolling in honor of George Washington’s birthday. Aside from the events marked by the ringing of the bell, students will learn of how the bell was hidden from the British, how it toured the country and how it came to be adopted by various organizations, such as the Abolitionists, the Suffragists and Civil Rights advocate as a symbol of freedom. Notes the author, “Although it cannot ring, its sound is louder than ever.” Includes a Table of Contents, a glossary and an index. RZ