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    Abraham's Battle
      An ex-slave named Abraham, a young Confederate soldier, and a girl from Gettysburg meet in the cataclysmic days of the Civil War battle. Abraham meets Lincoln after the President gives his famous address.
      Author: Banks, Sara Harrell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    African Princess
      Illustrated with paintings, photographs, and artifacts, six biographies tell us about royal African women from Ancient Eygpt to the present: Hatshepsut of Egypt; Njinga of Matamba; Taytu Tetal of Ethiopia; Amina of Zaria; Tata Ajache of Dahomey; and Eliz
      Author: Hansen, Joyce HSE Descriptors: social studies

    All Around Town
      Columbia, South Carolina of the 1920's and 1930's is chronicled by photographs by Richard Roberts and text by the author. One reader thought the text was too childish.
      Author: Johnson, Dinah

    Angel Island
      An historical account of the discrimination against the Asian immigrants in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Angel Island, located near Alcatraz Island, was the Ellis Island of the west coast of the U.S. but was more of a prison than a welcoming center. Drawi
      Author: Russell Freedman HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Anno's Medieval World
      In Anno's beautifully illustrated medieval world, superstitions rather than science explain natural phenomena, especially the shape and movement of the earth. Anno uses medieval styled illustrations to share these beliefs of the Middle Ages up to the Age
      Author: Anno, Mitsumasa HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Blizzard!
      This book tells the story of an amazing blizzard that struck the Eastern U.S. in March, 1888. The author tells how the storm affected individuals, workers, communication, transportation, and more. The book is illustrated with vintage photographs and maps
      Author: Murphy, Jim HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Bobbin Girl, The
      Rebecca, a 10-year-old "bobbin girl" working in the textile factories in Lowell, Massachuesetts in the 1830's must decide if she will participate in the first workers' strike.
      Author: McCully, Emily Arnold HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Bodies from the Ash:Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii
      With the help of detailed photographs, the author describes how historical fact is established by excavating and reconstructing the volcanic site of Pompeii.
      Author: Deem, James M. HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence
      In 1991, New York's long-ignored African Burial Ground was rediscovered. The description of what scientists found there and how they pieced together information about life serves as a backdrop for stories of life for African Americans in Colonial New York
      Author: Hansen, Joyce, & McGowan, Gary HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Building a New Land
      Each of the short chapters in this well written picture book addresses the lives, rights, changing roles, and contributions of African Americans in a different area of Colonial America. The author includes a timeline and a bibliography.
      Author: Haskins, James & Benson, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page
      Tobias, an 11-year-old boy, goes to serve as a page for a year in his uncle's castle in 13th Century England. Notes for the Reader contains additional historical information.
      Author: Platt, Richard HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - writing

    Cathedral
      This fascinating nonfiction book describes the construction of an imaginary castle in medieval France. The illustrations are black and white and very detailed. The book ends with a glossary.
      Author: Macaulay, David HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Cats in Krasinski Square, The
      With a simple text and marvelous watercolors, Hesse tells a true story of the bravery of the Jewish Resistance who helped the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. End matter provides more historical background.
      Author: Hesse, Karen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Coal Miner's Bride, A: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska
      In journal format, the life of a thirteen year old girl in 1896 comes to life. Anetra Kaminska is sold to an older widower of three children in a mining town, for the price of her and her brother's tickets from Poland to America. Her life is extremely ha
      Author: Bartoletti, Susan Campbell HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | language arts - writing | social studies

    Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak
      Ethan, a printer's errand boy, is carrying a message from business to business in Boston It is to gather the Patriots at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773. As he goes to each business,we find out about tha various occupations and the histo
      Author: Winters, Kay HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak
      Ethan, a printer's errand boy, is carrying a message from business to business in Boston It is to gather the Patriots at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773. As he goes to each business,we find out about tha various occupations and the histo
      Author: Winters, Kay HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Fever 1793
      This is a very compelling fictionalization of life for one teenaged girl, her family, and her friends during the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793.
      Author: Anderson, Laurie Halse HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
      This Newberry Award winner gives voice to residents of a medieval English village circa 1255. Poems in monologue form interspersed with explanatory passages bring the village to life. The book includes a map locating the characters in the village and an
      Author: Schlitz, Laura Amy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Harlem Stomp!
      Subtitled "A cultural history of the Harlem Renaissance," this book has 10 chapters that address how Harlem came to be a cultural "magnet" in the 1920s. The book interweaves history, poetry, and archival photos that brings the cultural history of Harlem t
      Author: Hill, Laban Carrick HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    In the Days of the Vaqueros
      Russell Freedman has created another interesting non-fiction book, this time on the vaqueros, who were the forerunners of cowboys. As usual, the author illustrates his essays with paintings, archival photographs and includes useful resources in a bibliog
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Indian School
      Subtitled "Teaching the White Man's Way," this book chronicles efforts to "civilize" Native American children and youth in the late 19th and early 20th century. Archival photographs, an index, a reading list, a bibliography, and a list of web sites comple
      Author: Cooper, Michael L. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    It Is a Good Day to Die
      A brief introduction explains why the account of Custer's battle at Little Bighorn is told through individual recollections long after the encounter. In addition to the personal accounts, the book includes a helpful chronology of events, short biographie
      Author: Viola, Herman HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Kinderdike
      In this dramatically illustrated book, a Dutch town is flooded and mostly destroyed, although one child in a cradle and a cat are found after the flood waters recede. Together people work to rebuild and name the town Kinderdike (kinder=child in Dutch).
      Author: Fisher, Leonard Everett HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The
      This book is a wonderfully retold version of the classic story by Washington Irving. The illustrations contribute to the mysterious mood.
      Author: Irving, Washington HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Library Book, The
      Although the title is a clever pun, this book recounts the history of storing language from tablets to information systems, highlighting famous libraries in the process. Side bars include additional facts and many web sites are included in the resources.
      Author: Sawa, Maureen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
      This coming-of-age novel is a Newbery Honor Book. It tells the story of people in Maine in the early 1900s, a friendship between a minister's son and an island girl, and the ways greed and prejudice change all their lives.
      Author: Schmidt, Gary

    Long Way From Chicago, A
      Subtitled "A Novel in Stories," this is a book about Joey and Mary Alice, who leave their home in Chicago each summer during the Depression to spend a week with Grandma Dowdel, who lives in a very small downstate town and who is, to say the least, an unfo
      Author: Peck, Richard

    Lugalbanda
      This retelling of the oldest recorded story ever found from Sumer (now Iraq) recounts the journey of a young prince as he crosses the mountains to join a war and find his brothers, overcoming obstacles on his way. The book includes interesting historical
      Author: Henderson, Kathy HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American GIrl
      Based on an unpublished memoir, this picture book tells the story of daily life for a middle-class African American girl in New York in the 19th century. Maps and photographs illustrate the story.
      Author: Bolden, Tonya HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Mary Smith
      Before the advent of alarm clocks, Mary Smith's job was to wake the workers of her village with her trusty peashooter.
      Author: U'Ren, Andrea

    Matilda Bone
      Sometime in medieval Europe, a sombre-minded priest leaves a 14-year-old orphaned girl to be a bonesetter's apprentice. She reads and writes Latin but knows very little about the world and the people in it.
      Author: Cushman, Karen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Metropolis
      This book provides a detailed look at 10 cities, from 11th century Jerusalem to 20th century New York City. Readers will learn about culture, architecture, and everyday life over the centuries as well as historical information about the cities themselves.
      Author: Lorenz, Albert HSE Descriptors: social studies

    My Great Aunt Arizona
      Based on the author's great aunt, Arizona was born in a log cabin. All her life she dreamed of visiting far-away places. She became a teacher and never left the area, but taught several generations of children to share her dreams.
      Author: Houston, Gloria HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Native Americans
      Rather than focus on individual tribes, the editors chose to organize the text and illustrations by cultural topics such as dress, transportation, rituals, and livelihood. Information boxes augment the brief text, giving the appearance of an intermediate
      Author: Thomas, David & Pendleton, Lorann (Eds.) HSE Descriptors: social studies

    New Year Be Coming!
      Through beautiful colored woodcuts and rhythmic gullah dialect, this book describes happenings for each month of the year in the South Carolina low country. A recipe, a glossary, and an introduction to the Gullah dialect are included. Some students migh
      Author: Boling, Katharine

    Nickommoh! A Thanksgiving Celebration
      The Native American harvest celebration, Nickommah, is described in simple text accompanied by interesting illustrations. Other information about Native American culture is also shared; a glossary of Native American terms concludes the book.
      Author: Koller, Jackie French HSE Descriptors: social studies

    One More River to Cross
      This is a photographic chronicle of African American life. The text is very simple. The photos are very powerful. The author includes an index of the photos.
      Author: Myers, Walter Dean HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Perilous Journey of The Donner Party, The
      The Donner Party, consisting of 81 people who set out for a new life in California in the mid 1850's, got trapped in the mountain snows with diminishing supplies. Harrowing tales of survival followed the few who made it out alive. The book includes archi
      Author: Calabro, Marian HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Rabbits, The
      A myth/allegory about rabbits who take over a country and destroy the environment. The illustrations are simultaneously thought-provoking, beautiful, and ominous. The type face may confuse new readers although it is large and easy to read.
      Author: Marsden, John

    Religion in 19th Century America
      This book, part of a larger series on religion in America, focuses on U.S. religious history in the 19th century. Illustrations complement the text. A chronology, sources for further reading, and index are included.
      Author: Wacker, Grant HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Roanoke
      Based on extensive research, this book explores the political intrigue surrounding the disappearance of the first American colony at Roanoke, in what is now North Carolina. The suspenseful text is supplemented with archival photographs and paintings, a t
      Author: Miller, Lee HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Romeo and Juliet, (The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of)
      This lively, clear, prose retelling of Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet follows the original story very closely.
      Author: Shakespeare, William HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Run Far, Run Fast
      When a mother tells a young girl in 14th C Europe to "run far, run fast" to escape the pestilence, the girl discovers that she cannot outrun the plague but is helped by a friendly man. The exquisite pen and ink drawings are integral to the story. The on
      Author: Decker, Timothy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Run Far, Run Fast
      When a mother tells a young girl in 14th C Europe to "run far, run fast" to escape the pestilence, the girl discovers that she cannot outrun the plague but is helped by a friendly man. The exquisite pen and ink drawings are integral to the story. The on
      Author: Decker, Timothy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Salt: A Story of Friendship in Time of War
      Set in the Indiana Territory, this story of two friends - Anikwa, a Miami Indian and James, the son of a white trader become friends despite the conflict of their heritage. This book is uniquely crafted in two style of poetic verse. Salt plays a symbolic
      Author: Frost, Helen HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Second Mrs. Gioconda
      In this fictionalized story of real people, Salai, servant of Leonardo da Vinci, tells how the painting of Mrs. Gioconda known as the Mona Lisa came to be painted.
      Author: Konigsburg, E. L. HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    shadow spinner
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      Author: fletcher, susan HSE Descriptors: literature and arts | literature and arts | literature and arts | literature and arts | literature and arts

    Shakespeare, His World and His Work
      This book explores the world of William Shakespeare through beautiful illustrations and diagrams, quotations from plays, a detailed timeline, a bibliography, and a closer look at five plays--A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, King L
      Author: Rosen, Michael HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Stone Lamp, The
      This book of poems and accounts gives a personal and historical perspective of the meaning of lighting the Menorah lamps representing the eight nights of Hanukkah. The author tells in prose and poetry of real events from 1190 to 1995. Brian Pinkney's vi
      Author: Hesse, Karen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Stranded at Plimoth Plantation 1626
      This is the fictitious journal of a 13-year-old orphan stranded at Plimoth (sic) Plantation. Bowen constructed the 80-page journal from historical records and illustrated the words with marvelous woodcuts. The end pages too feature fascinating maps. Te
      Author: Bowen, Gary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Street Through Time, A
      From the Stone Age to the Modern Age, the same location is depicted on double-page layouts filled with cultural details and daily activities. Endmatter includes a time-traveling quiz and a glossary. The illustrations are visually very busy.
      Author: Millard, Anne HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Sundiata
      With roots in the 13th Century history of Mali in West Central Africa, the legend of Sundiata and how he gains the kingship prophesied at his birth is illustrated with exquisite cut paper artwork. Historical facts are included in the endmatter and a beau
      Author: Wisniewski, David HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Till Year's End
      Following the format of a medieval book of hours, the book describes the labors of peasants month by month. The illustrations were inspired by those in early printed books. An Author's Note explains the calendar of medieval feast and holy days which was
      Author: Nilola, Lisa W. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    To Every Thing There Is a Season
      The extraordinarily beautiful art from different cultural and historic periods illustrates a Bible passage from Ecclesiastes. An end section describes the historical/geographical information about the art work.
      Author: Dillon, Leo and Dianne HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Travels of Benjamin of Tudela, The
      In 1159, Benjamin Tudela, a Jew, left Tudela, Spain, set off to see Jerusalem and as many places mentioned in the Bible as possible. Fourteen years later he returned to tell of his travels. The author extensively researched the period to fill in details
      Author: Shulevitz, Uri HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Trouble Don't Last
      This is the story of 11-year-old Samuel and "cranky old Harrison," who leave the Kentucky farm where they are slaves and head north to freedom, encountering non-stereotypical members of trhe Underground Railroad. The author is the historian at Hale Farm a
      Author: Pearsall, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys
      This is a recounting of a true family story about Virgie, who wants to go to school with her big brothers, despite her young age, the fact that girls were thought not to need an education, and the distance she must travel (7 miles).
      Author: Howard, Elizabeth

    Way Things Never Were, The
      The eight chapters of this interesting book, subtitled "The Truth About the 'Good Old Days,'" contrast life in the 50s and 60s with today. Topics addressed include communication, health, transportation, education, world events, etc. The print insets for p
      Author: Finkelstein, Norman HSE Descriptors: social studies

    We The People
      American history from Colonial times to the present is presented through 65 poems about individuals--some real and some imaginary. A timeline of historic events runs across the lower part of the page and a note about writing the book appears at the end.
      Author: Katz, Bobbi HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders
      This book features 17 figures who fought against injustice and oppression all over the world. Against overwhelming odds and heartbreaking loss, they stood, they hoped, they spoke! These well and lesser known leaders are portrayed in poetry as heroes who h
      Author: Lewis, J. Patrick HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies | language arts - writing

    Winter People, The
      Historical Fiction: As the French and Indian War rages in October of 1759, Saxso, a 14 year old boy, pursues the English rangers who have attacked his village and taken his mother and sisters hostage.
      Author: Bruchac, Joseph HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Words West: Voices of Young Pioneers
      Diary and journal excerpts and archival photographs enliven a well-written text about the Westward Movement as seen from the perspective of children. The book includes short biographies of the children who are quoted often as well as a chronology, furthe
      Author: Wadsworth, Ginger HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Written in Bones
      This thoroughly researched book explores human history through the study of bones. Maps, photographs, and archival materials illustrate the text. The text is complex and the print small.
      Author: Bahn, Paul HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Young Teddy Roosevelt
      A biography of the life of Theodore Roosevelt up to the time of his presidency has illustrations that are as interesting as the well-written text.
      Author: Harness, Cheryl HSE Descriptors: social studies

Work
Work > historical
    Butterfly Seeds, The
      When Jake sails with his family for America, his grandfather gives him a gift of special seeds that will evoke memories of his grandfather in his new home.
      Author: Watson, Mary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak
      Ethan, a printer's errand boy, is carrying a message from business to business in Boston It is to gather the Patriots at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773. As he goes to each business,we find out about tha various occupations and the histo
      Author: Winters, Kay HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak
      Ethan, a printer's errand boy, is carrying a message from business to business in Boston It is to gather the Patriots at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773. As he goes to each business,we find out about tha various occupations and the histo
      Author: Winters, Kay HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Food
      The evolution of the acquisition, distribution, and consumption of food throughout history is described in interesting text and colorful, informative illustrations. The author includes a helpful glossary.
      Author: Ventura, Piero HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
      This Newberry Award winner gives voice to residents of a medieval English village circa 1255. Poems in monologue form interspersed with explanatory passages bring the village to life. The book includes a map locating the characters in the village and an
      Author: Schlitz, Laura Amy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Hoover Dam
      This book tells the story of why and how the Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression with interviews of people who worked on the dam. Illustrations depict the engineering challenges faced by the builders.
      Author: Mann, Elizabeth HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Mary Smith
      Before the advent of alarm clocks, Mary Smith's job was to wake the workers of her village with her trusty peashooter.
      Author: U'Ren, Andrea

    Midwife's Apprentice, The
      This award-winning novel, set in 14th century England, tells the story of Brat/Beetle/Alyce, a "homeless waif who became the midwife's apprentice-a person with a name and a place in the world" (book jacket).
      Author: Cushman, Karen HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Peppe the Lamplighter
      A young Italian immigrant boy has to find a job lighting the lamps to help support his invalid father and many sisters. His proud father thinks it is inferior work until the night the boy refuses to light the lamps, and his little sister does not return
      Author: Bartone, Elisa HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Signers, The
      A companion to The Founders, this book tells short 2-3 page stories of the Declaration of Independence and the people who signed it. It is organized by state by state.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Street Through Time, A
      From the Stone Age to the Modern Age, the same location is depicted on double-page layouts filled with cultural details and daily activities. Endmatter includes a time-traveling quiz and a glossary. The illustrations are visually very busy.
      Author: Millard, Anne HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Strikemakers & Strikebreakers
      Dense but interesting history of the formation of labor unions in the United States. Describes the origin and history of strikes and discusses their purpose and effectiveness. Fairly balanced look at the relationship between labor unions and employers.
      Author: Lens, Sidney HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Till Year's End
      Following the format of a medieval book of hours, the book describes the labors of peasants month by month. The illustrations were inspired by those in early printed books. An Author's Note explains the calendar of medieval feast and holy days which was
      Author: Nilola, Lisa W. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Twelve Rounds to Glory
      This biographical tribute told in rap-inspired verse captures the life of the "Louisville Loudmouth" who was in so many respects the "Greatest of all Time." This amazing account of Muhammed Ali's life is told in twelve chapters, like a 12 round boxing mat
      Author: Smith, Charles HSE Descriptors: language arts - writing | language arts - reading

    Walking the Log
      The author paints scenes and reminisces about her childhood in the turn of the century South. The books contains information about daily life, work (especially picking cotton), childhood games, family values, and the author's life long interest in art.
      Author: Nickens, Bessie

    Whale Port
      In this book about a fictitious combination of real places, the text and colored-pencil drawings present the chronological development of a New England whaling town and its related businesses. The use of cut away art provides a glimpse inside the building
      Author: Foster, Mark HSE Descriptors: social studies


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