I Have Heard of a Land
Publication Information
Author:  Thomas, Joyce Carol	Illustrator:  Cooper, Floyd
Title:  I Have Heard of a Land	Date:  1998
Publisher:  Harper Collins	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  0-06-023477-6	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:   Yes	Young Adult:
Picture:   Yes
General Information:
Book Type(s):    historical fiction, true story, easy reading
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
A hardworking African American woman stakes a homestead claim in the Oklahoma Territory in the period after the Civil War. Told in rich, lyrical language, the beautifully illustrated story reminds us that African Americans were a part of the settlement of the West.
Teaching Ideas:
Students may want to explore the how's and why's of people who try to make better lives for themselves and their families and what hardships they endure to do so. The book makes an excellent read aloud. Teachers may want to help students explore the figurative language, line lengths, and interesting juxtaposition of sounds. The author's note may encourage students to search their own family history for strong people who endured hardships and who had dreams of a better life.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Ethnic Groups > African-American Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > hopes/dreams Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > relocation, personal Family > family history History > region > U.S. history > Westward Expansion > homesteading History > region > U.S. history > Westward Expansion > settlers' lives Communities > rural Communities > new Social Studies > sociology > women > women in history Literature and Language > poetry

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