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History > time period > 13th Century
    Adventures of Marco Polo, The
      The author recounts the 13th Century life and exploration of the famous Venetian, Marco Polo. The fascinating illustrations reflect the style of the time and place of each segment of the story. The author includes ample supplemental information on the a
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Boy Named Giotto, A
      This exquisitely illustrated biography portrays the early years of the Renaissance painter, Giotto, who lived in Italy from 1267-1337.
      Author: Guarnieri, Paolo HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Castle
      This engaging informational book tells the story of the step-by-step planning and construction of a (fictitious) castle in England in the last part of the 13th century. Eventually the castle is attacked by Welsh soldiers, but it withstands the siege. Th
      Author: Macaulay, David HSE Descriptors: 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

    Rich Man and the Parrot, The
      This Persian folktale by 13th century poet Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi tells how a merchant provides his talking parrot with everything the parrot could have but not the one thing that the parrot wanted--his freedom.
      Author: Nadimi, Suzan HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Silent Music
      A young boy in present-day Baghdad learns Arabic calligraphy to distract him from the bombing of his city. The gorgeous illustrations invite the reader to learn to write the Arabic words for "war" and "peace." An author's note gives the historical backg
      Author: Rumford, James 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

History > time period > 17th Century
    Isaac Newton
      This is a biography of Isaac Newton. It is interesting and full of personal anecdotes as well as clear descriptions of important scientific discoveries. It makes Newton "come alive" as a person.
      Author: Krull, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: math | science

    Library for Juana, A
      This beautifully illustrated imaginative biography (little is known) focuses on the early life of Juana Ramirez de Asbaje, who became the first and one of the greatest Mexican poets known as Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. The author includes a glossary, furt
      Author: Mora, Pat HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shakespeare and Macbeth
      The reader learns about the writing and production of Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Sidebars contribute additional information to the narrative about the play as do a chronology of Shakespeare's life, one of his works, a description of the Globe T
      Author: Ross, Stewart HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    They Sought A New World
      Through Kurelek's art and Margaret Englehart's additional text, this book tells the story of European immigrants to North America. In addition to describing issues like finding work and shelter, aspects of culture -- religion, maintaining cultural tradit
      Author: Kurelek, William HSE Descriptors: social studies

History > time period > 18th Century
    Auld Lang Syne
      Told from first person perspective, this life story of Robert Burns from childhood to adulthood highlights the poets efforts to keep alive Scottish songs and verses. Most familiar to many will be the song of the book's title.
      Author: Findon, Joanne HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Charlotte
      When 10-year-old Charlotte's father forbids her to associate with her cousins because her uncle was a royalist in the American Revolution, she disobeys with lifelong consequences. The book includes an Afterword about Charlotte's later life.
      Author: Lunn, Janet HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Danger Along the Ohio
      The Dunn family is traveling down the Ohio River in 1793. The children become separated from their father and must fend for themselves while heading toward Marietta.
      Author: Willis, Patricia HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Dear Benjamin Banneker
      The book tells the life story of Benjamin Banneker, an 18th-century African-American scientist. The book begins with two pages of data from the author, placing Banneker in an historical context.
      Author: Pinkney, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Fortune's Bones
      A powerful poem, written in the form of a requiem, recovers the life and reconstructed history of a skeleton used by a Dr. Porter to teach anatomy in Waterbury, Connecticut. The format places author's notes across from sections of the poem told by differ
      Author: Nelson, Marilyn HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Independent Dames: What You Never Knew about the Women and Girls of the American Revolution
      Brief biographies of women who played key roles in the Revolutionary War. Makes the facts of Early American history come alive with lives of women who don't usually get mentioned in history books. Below each illustration is a time line of events.
      Author: Anderson, Laurie Halse HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Independent Dames: What You Never Knew about the Women and Girls of the American Revolution
      Brief biographies of women who played key roles in the Revolutionary War. Makes the facts of Early American history come alive with lives of women who don't usually get mentioned in history books. Below each illustration is a time line of events.
      Author: Anderson, Laurie Halse HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Ingenious Mr. Peale, The
      Charles Wilson Peale's life spanned the early years of the U.S. He was an acclaimed portrait painter, established the first portrait gallery in the nation, and pursued other interests, such as natural history.
      Author: Wilson, Janet HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Let It Begin Here! Lexington and Concord First Battles of the American Revolution
      The events during the 24 hours that led up to the Revolutionary War, including Paul Revere's ride and capture by the British.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis Brindell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Let It Begin Here! Lexington and Concord First Battles of the American Revolution
      The events during the 24 hours that led up to the Revolutionary War, including Paul Revere's ride and capture by the British.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis Brindell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    My Name Is York
      York, a slave of Captain Clark, accompanies his master on the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. An afterword gives additional biographical information and the end papers contain maps. The illustrations and language are especially evocative.
      Author: Van Steenwyk, Elizabeth HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Sea Clocks
      The true story of Englishman John Harrison's life-long struggle to win the Longitude Prize is told in a free-verse format. An author's note and a facts page contribute further information.
      Author: Borden, Louise HSE Descriptors: science

    Sebastian: A Book About Bach
      This simple biography tells the story of the great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. Some readers thought that the illustrations were childish though the content was not.
      Author: Winter, Jeanette HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Shaker Hearts
      A series of poems--Shaker mottos--are accompanied by lovely paintings by Wendell Minor. The book begins with an historical note on the Shakers and ends with explanations of terms and concepts. It is a celebration of the lifestyle and contributions of th
      Author: Turner, Ann

    They Sought A New World
      Through Kurelek's art and Margaret Englehart's additional text, this book tells the story of European immigrants to North America. In addition to describing issues like finding work and shelter, aspects of culture -- religion, maintaining cultural tradit
      Author: Kurelek, William HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Toussaint L'Ouverture
      The author wrote the biography of Haiti's hero, Toussaint L'Ouverture, who led the fight for liberation from France and Spain, to accompany Jacob Lawrence's paintings.
      Author: Myers, Walter Dean HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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

History > time period > 19th Century
    Across America on an Emigrant Train
      This nonfiction account of Robert Louis Stevenson's train trip from New York to California combines Stevenson's words from his letters and diary, a factual description of the railroad industry and the 19th-century U.S. West, and amazing old photographs an
      Author: Murphy, Jim HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Ain't Nothing But a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry
      The author is a historian who became interested in John Henry, a supposedly mythical ex-slave who outraced the steam engine in digging a tunnel through the side of the Allegheny Mountains. This book chronicles the author's efforts to find the truth about
      Author: Nelson, Scott Reynolds HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Amazing Potato, The
      A wonderful example of thematic writing, this book about the potato includes everything you want to know--and then some. The photographs, fact boxes, sketches, annotated bibliography, index, and interestingly written text produce a self-contained integra
      Author: Meltzer, Milton HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    American Boy: The Adventures of Mark Twain
      This biography of Sam Clemens focuses primarily on his childhood. Readers will see many parallels between young Sam's adventures and those of his famous characters Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Ann and Seamus
      This story of a real event in 1828 alternates chapters in free verse of the two characters of the title. Ann, a real teenager, wants to experience the world beyond Newfoundland, and Seamus, a fictional Irish immigrant, wants to find fortune and a wife.
      Author: Major, Kevin HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Anthony Burns
      The subtitle of this book is "The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave." Especially appropriate for use in GED classrooms, Anthony Burns is based on fact and includes a timeline and historical footnotes. Hamilton fills out the details to crea
      Author: Hamilton, Virginia HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Black Potatoes
      The causes and consequences of the Irish potato famine are examined, using individual portraits and anecdotes. Archival photographs, a map of the counties of Ireland, a bibliography, and a timeline complement the text.
      Author: Bartoletti, Susan HSE Descriptors: 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

    Bluewater Journal
      Inspired by journals, maps, and letters from the Mystic Seaport Museum, the diary recounts the voyage of the family of a sea captain from Boston around Cape Horn to Hawaii from the son's point of view. Maps, a glossary, Author's Note, and an Afterword pr
      Author: Krupinski, Loretta HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Borning Room, The
      The narrator remembers growing up in southern Ohio in the 19th century, remembers farm life, celebrates her relatives with their varying ideas about slavery and religion, remembers her part in hiding slaves.
      Author: Fleischman, Paul HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Boy Called Slow, A
      This is the story of Sitting Bull and his amazing story of leadership and bravery. Told in a compelling style this celebration of one of America's heroes should be read by readers of all ages.
      Author: Bruchac, Joseph HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Boy Named Reckoning, A: A: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
      The author has pieced together the writings of Dr. Carlos Montezuma to tell his life story in letter form. He was a Native American boy who was kidnapped, sold into slavery and eventually educated in Chicago. He devoted the rest of his life to lobbying fo
      Author: Capaldi, Gina HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Boy of the Deeps
      On his first day in the coal mines, a boy with his father survive an accident.
      Author: Wallace, Ian HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Brooklyn Bridge, The
      This award winner tells the history of an unusual American family, the history of an important U.S. bridge, and the story of how that bridge was crafted and designed. It ends with a list of statistics and an index.
      Author: Mann, Elizabeth HSE Descriptors: science | math

    Buffalo Gals: Women of the Old West
      Primary documents (e.g., journal entries, letters, song lyrics) are woven into a description of the women on the old west and their lives.
      Author: Miller, Brandon Marie HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Bull Run
      This is a fictional and personal account of the first great battle of the Civil War, as told from the points of view of 16 participants, Northern and Southern, male and female, black and white.
      Author: Fleischman, Paul HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Buried in Ice
      The authors explore the mysterious fate of Sir John Franklin's failed expedition to find the Northwest Passage in 1845. Sections of fictionalized history alternate with present-day, first-person narrative of the scientific search for answers. A glossary
      Author: Beattie, Owen & Geiger, John HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Casey at the Bat
      This is the famous baseball poem told in scrapbook form with illustrations and "news clippings".
      Author: Bing, Christopher HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Charles Dickens: The Man Who Had Great Expectations
      This engaging biography tells the life story of 19th-century novelist, Charles Dickens.
      Author: Stanley, Diane & Vennema, Peter HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters
      This story describes the customs used in both the plantation house and the slave quarters during the Christmas season during slavery years. The amount of detail--even recipes and songs are included--is unusual, and yet the book flows well and makes compe
      Author: McKissack, Patricia & McKissack, Frederick HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Civil War
      Illustrations include photographs, posters, and paintings from the archives at the Library of Congress. Quotes from speeches and letters are sprinkled throughout. This book presents information about battles and soldiers' lives as well as the impact of
      Author: Sandler, Martin HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Clara Schumann
      This biography chronicles the life of Clara Schumann, child prodigy and wife of composer Robert Schumann and mother of eight children. The book is illustrated with portraits and diary excerpts. A preface, an epilogue, a timeline, and an index make the b
      Author: Reich, Susan HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Day That Changed America, A: Gettysburg
      This book intertwines the story of the day Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address with the events of the Battle of Gettysburg. Includes paintings, photographs and maps of the battle. There is a glossary and recommended reading in the back of the book.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Day That Changed America, A: Gettysburg
      This book intertwines the story of the day Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address with the events of the Battle of Gettysburg. Includes paintings, photographs and maps of the battle. There is a glossary and recommended reading in the back of the book.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Deep Blues
      Bill Traylor, who worked as a farm laborer before and after the Civil War, was "discovered" as a folk artist at the age of 85.
      Author: Lyons, Mary E.

    Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, The
      A story in three parts about a Victorian artist, Waterhouse Hawkins, who brought dinosaurs to life for all to see, originally in England and later in New York City He devoted over three decades to building the first life-size models of these giant creatur
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, The
      A story in three parts about a Victorian artist, Waterhouse Hawkins, who brought dinosaurs to life for all to see, originally in England and later in New York City He devoted over three decades to building the first life-size models of these giant creatur
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Dolley Madison Saves George Washington
      An easy-reading biography of Dolley Madison that focuses on her adult years, particularly as Jefferson's hostess in the White House and First Lady. Dolley Madison saved a large portrait of George Washington before the Brittish burned the White House.
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Drummer Boy
      A 13-year-old boy, awed by hearing Lincoln make a speech, lies about his age to take part in the Civil War. He becomes a drummer boy and in this role experiences much of war's horror.
      Author: Turner, Ann HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Emily
      This book tells the story of a young girl's encounter with the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson and of her friendship with the author. Although the picture book is a fictional account, Cooney's oil paintings and the afterword with biographical information
      Author: Bedard, Michael HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Flag Maker, The
      This is the story of the flag that prompted Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. Events surrounding the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore are also chronicled.
      Author: Bartoletti, Susan HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Forbidden Schoolhouse
      With the help of her family and a few powerful friends, Prudence Crandall began a school for African-American girls in Canterbury, Connecticut, in 1833 despite boycotts, vandalism, and legal battles. An appendix provides historical research on the student
      Author: Jurmain, Suzanne HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gathering of Days, A
      This book, subtitled A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32, is a fictitious diary kept by a fourteen-year-old girl during the last few years she spent on her family's farm. During these months Catherine's father remarried, her closest friend died of feve
      Author: Blos, Joan W. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gettysburg Address, The
      The book uses Lincoln's actual words, which he spoke when consecrating the Pennsylvania cemetery. Each line is illustrated in black and white illustrations. It includes a foreword and afterword.
      Author: Lincoln, Abraham HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gifts from the Sea
      The lives of a lighthousekeeper and his daughter are changed by the discovery of a baby washed ashore after a shipwreck on the coast of Maine in the 1850's.
      Author: Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie

    Gold Rush, The
      This 118-page pictorial history of the California gold rush includes fascinating photographs and artifacts. It is an engaging prose account that includes the stories of Native Americans, Mexicans, and Chinese miners and families.
      Author: Ketchum, Liza HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gone A-Whaling
      Information boxes describing species of whales are distributed throughout this informative book on whaling. Archival photographs and journal entries lighten the expository tone and the glossary and bibliography make it more user friendly. The vocabulary
      Author: Murphy, Jim HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Good Brother, Bad Brother
      Subtitled "The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth," this long biography portrays their lives before and after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This is a GED level book.
      Author: Giblin, James Cross HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Great Fire, The
      By weaving personal accounts from survivors together with carefully researched history, Jim Murphy constructs a riveting narrative that recreates the great Chicago fire with drama and immediacy. Authentic photos and drawings complement the text.
      Author: Murphy, Jim HSE Descriptors: social studies

    House, House
      In the late 1800's, the How brothers took photographs of houses in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Author Jane Yolen wrote text to accompany photographs of the same houses taken by her son in the 1990's. A bibliography extends the historical information.
      Author: Yolen, Jane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    How We Crossed the West
      Colorful illustrations, maps, and journal excerpts invite the reader to accompany Lewis and Clark on their expedition across the plains and the Pacific Northwest in 1804.
      Author: Schanzer, Rosalyn HSE Descriptors: social studies

    I, Too, Sing America
      This is a collection of poetry, arranged chronologically, by African-American poets. Biographies of the poets accompany their poems.
      Author: Clinton, Catherine (comp.) HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | 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

    Ingenious Mr. Peale, The
      Charles Wilson Peale's life spanned the early years of the U.S. He was an acclaimed portrait painter, established the first portrait gallery in the nation, and pursued other interests, such as natural history.
      Author: Wilson, Janet HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Into the Deep Forest: With Henry David Thoreau
      Thoreau's journal entries have been placed into a broader context and are accompanied by stunning paintings and pencil drawings in this 39-page book. The use of present tense verb form may be off putting for some readers.
      Author: Murphy, Jim HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    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

    Jayhawker
      With the U.S. on the verge of civil war, Elijah Tully and his father ride out of Kansas as Jayhawkers, guerrilla fighters against slavery. After his father is killed, Lije goes undercover among the proslavery bushwhackers to help the abolitionists and t
      Author: Beatty, Patricia HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Jip: His Story
      Jip, a young orphan in the mid-1850s, lives on a farm, interacts with Put "the lunatic," and wonders about his past. Eventually he attends school and, with the help of Teacher (Lyddie from the Paterson book by the same name) and her Quaker friend, discov
      Author: Paterson, Katherine HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    John Blair and the Great Hinckley Fire
      This is a retelling of the effects of a firestorm in 1894 on a train and its 150+ passengers. John Blair, the train's porter, became a hero for his common sense and bravery in the face of extraordinary danger.
      Author: Nobisso, Josephine HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Jumping the Broom
      An eight-year-old slave girl describes the preparations and customs for her sister's wedding on the plantation. The combination of hardships and vitality depicted in this book creates a strong sense of community and of extended family.
      Author: Wright, Courtni HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend
      This is the story of a 15-year-old girl who helped prevent a train disaster in 1881.
      Author: San Souci, Robert D. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Lady Liberty: A Biography
      Poetic format shares the stories of the people involved in the building of the Statue of Liberty. It also shares the reactions and contributions of everyday people seeing her rise in NY Harbor. Beautiful illustrations that add to the stories of the peopl
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies | literature and arts

    Lady Liberty: A Biography
      Poetic format shares the stories of the people involved in the building of the Statue of Liberty. It also shares the reactions and contributions of everyday people seeing her rise in NY Harbor. Beautiful illustrations that add to the stories of the peopl
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies | literature and arts

    Last Princess, The
      This biography recounts the history of Hawaii at the end of the 19th century and the life of the last Hawaiian heir, Princess Ka'iulani, who was denied the throne when the monarchy was abolished.
      Author: Stanley, Fay 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

    Letters from a Slave Girl
      Drawn from her 1861 autobiography, these fictionalized letters tell the story of Harriet Jacobs, a slave from North Carolina who went through great struggles to escape slavery. The book ends with two family trees, one a Black family and one White, a glos
      Author: Lyons, Mary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Lincoln: A Photobiography
      This is a carefully researched, well illustrated, fascinating biography of Abraham Lincoln.
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Lincolns, The
      Using a scrapbook format with blocks of stories and archival photographs, the author provides a chatty, up-close biography of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Since the book is in a scrapbook format, students can start reading anywhere in the book or read in the
      Author: Fleming, Candice HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Long Journey Home
      These six short stories are based on historical fact; Lester's notes at the end of the book describe the original sources. Each features an African American protagonist. All are ordinary people who led extraordinary lives.
      Author: Lester, Julius HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Lyddie
      Lyddie tells the story of a 19th century farm girl who, because of financial worries, moves to Massachusetts to work in a garment factory. She endures various hardships but does not lose her spunk or integrity.
      Author: Paterson, Katherine HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Man Who Made Parks, The
      This is a biography of Frederick Law Olmsted, the first landscape architect and developer of Central Park in NYC (as well as other famous parks).
      Author: Wishinsky, Frieda HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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

    Marvelous Mattie
      Based on the life of Margaret E. Knight, the book portrays an imaginative girl who overcomes the barriers of poverty and sexism to become an inventor of over 90 inventions with 22 patents. The author's note gives more biographical information while paten
      Author: McCully, Emily HSE Descriptors: science

    Memory Coat, The
      In order to flee persecution as Jews in Russia, Rachel and her cousin Griska emigrate with their extended family to America where they encounter difficulty at Ellis Island. The author provides additional information on immigration from Russia in the endm
      Author: Woodruff, Elvira HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Miss Crandall's School
      In innovative sonnet form, the authors tell the story of Prudence Crandall who ran a school for "young ladies and little misses of color" in Canterbury, Connecticut, in 1831 until boycotts, vandalism and persecution forced the school to close. An introdu
      Author: Alexander, Elizabeth & Nelson, Marilyn HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Moby-Dick
      Melville's classic tale of Ahab's obsessive hunt for the great white whale Moby Dick is retold in a format that includes excerpts from the original, summarized passages (each in a different type face), a very helpful glossary, a labeled cross-section of t
      Author: Melville, Herman/Needle, Jan HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    More Than Anything Else
      Few people around young Booker T. Washington are able to read. But Booker, age 9, finds a chance and takes it. This biography, which also shows life in post-Civil War West Virginia, is full of eloquent language and dramatic, lantern-lit paintings.
      Author: Bradby, Marie HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Nellie Bly
      This biography recounts the life of the woman who opened up the field of journalism to women through her undercover investigative reporting during the turn of the century through WW I.
      Author: Fredeen, Charles HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, The
      This two-act play is about Thoreau's nonviolent acts of civil disobedience and about his waning friendship with Ralph Waldo Emerson.
      Author: Lawrence, Jerome & Lee, Robert E. HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Nightjohn
      An escaped slave returns to the South to teach others how to read. This 92-page book is very bleak, and the violence is quite graphic.
      Author: Paulsen, Gary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science
      As the result of a bizarre mining accident in 1848 in which a metal rod ran through his brain, Phineas Gage provided scientists an opportunity to study the brain and the biological basis of behavior. Photographs, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index
      Author: Fleischman, John HSE Descriptors: science

    Picture Book of Frederick Douglass, A
      This engaging biography tells the life story of the civil rights leader Frederick Douglass and the role he played in a turbulent time of the United States. The book ends with author's notes and a timeline. The Adler biographies are well written and acce
      Author: Adler, David HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Picture Book of Sojourner Truth, A
      As with the other Adler biographies, most readers will find this book engaging and thought provoking. It tells the life story of Sojourner Truth, an African-American woman who lived through most of the 19th century. The book ends with author's notes and
      Author: Adler, David HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Princess Ka'iulani: Hope of a Nation, Heart of a People
      This is a fascinating biography of Ka'iulani, Crown Princess of Hawaii. The history of Hawaii is also chronicled, as is a bit about life in the US and Europe in the late 19th century. Authentic photographs and political cartoons, a bibliography, and index
      Author: Linnea, Sharon HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Queen of the Falls
      An engaging story about the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel - a 63 year old school teacher. Van Allsburg combines sepia toned illustrations with a smooth and flowing text while using tension to hold the reader's interest.
      Author: Van Allsburg, Chris HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    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

    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

    Sarah, Plain and Tall
      A mail-order bride comes from Maine to the midwest; the children (who have lost their mother) desperately hope she'll stay.
      Author: MacLachlan, Patricia HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shaker Hearts
      A series of poems--Shaker mottos--are accompanied by lovely paintings by Wendell Minor. The book begins with an historical note on the Shakers and ends with explanations of terms and concepts. It is a celebration of the lifestyle and contributions of th
      Author: Turner, Ann

    Shooting for the Moon
      This beautifully illustrated biography of Annie Mozee, known to the world as the sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, describes her impoverished childhood as well as her career as a performer.
      Author: Krensky, Stephen

    Shutting Out the Sky
      Subtitled "Life in the Tenements of New York, 1880-1924,," the chapters in this book offer information and perspectives on all aspects of immigration and life in NYC. Photographs and text document the experiences of five individuals from Belarus, Italy, L
      Author: Hopkinson, Deborah HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Silent Witness A True Story of the Civil War, The
      Lulu McLean, age four, lived in Manassas, Virginia on a plantation when the Civil War started. General Beauregard established his headquarters in her home. Shortly after, Lulu's father moved the family to Appomattox Court House, where the surrender to end
      Author: Friedman, Robin HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Steamboat! The Story of Captain Blanche Leathers
      The story of Blanche Leathers, the country's first female steamboat captain, sailing on the Mississippi River.
      Author: Gilliland, Judith Heide HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Stitching Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers
      The book recounts both the story of Harriet Powers during the century of the Civil War and the story of her two "story quilts" that now reside in museums. The book is illustrated with photographs of Bible stories from the quilts with explanatory captions
      Author: Lyons, Mary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Streams to the River, River to the Sea
      This is a fictional recounting of Sacagawea's association with Lewis and Clark. Although some Reading Group members were concerned about the accuracy of the portrayal, in the introduction, the author cites several references used in crafting the story.
      Author: O'Dell, Scott HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Thunder at Gettysburg
      This book is written in five chapters of free verse and tells the story of a young girl who was a witness to the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The text is accompanied by several line drawings and a concluding historical note.
      Author: Gauch, Patricia HSE Descriptors: social studies

    To Fly
      In short 2-3 page chapers with delightful watercolor illustrations, the narrative traces the Wright bothers' step-by-step evolution as aviation engineers. The author provides a timeline, a bibliography, notes, and an index.
      Author: Old, Wendie HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Train to Somewhere
      Marianne heads west with 14 other children on an Orphan Train, certain that her mother will be waiting for her at one of the stops. No one shows interest in adopting Marianne until the train arrives at a place called Somewhere, where Marianne meets her n
      Author: Bunting, Eve HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Tree of Life, The
      Peter Sis introduces the reader (of almost any age) to the life of Charles Darwin through fascinating illustrations and excerpts from journals and diaries. Sis drew on the notes of Darwin for the illustrations because Darwin noted his observation with la
      Author: Sis, Peter HSE Descriptors: science

    True Adventures of Daniel Hall, The
      Based on a true 19th-century adventure, the book tells the story of the survivor of shipboard cruelty on a whaling ship and his escape through the Siberian wilderness. The book contains maps and an afterword about the source of the story.
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Uncommon Traveler
      Mary Kingsley, who grew up in Victorian England, isolated, without formal education but with her Father's library, made trips to explore West Africa, where she accomplished many firsts and survived many adventures. The beautiful watercolor illustrations,
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Underground Railroad, The
      The photos and illustrations and text combine into a wonderful teaching tool on slavery. Several readers commented on how much new information they gleaned from this book of nonfiction. The book includes a timeline.
      Author: Bial, Raymond HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Voice from the Wilderness, A
      Four-year-old Anna Howard Shaw arrived in the U.S in 1851, lived as a pioneer in Michigan, became a teacher, a minister, a doctor, and worked for women's right to vote before her death in 1919.
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Walking the Choctaw Road
      A collection of twelve stories from the Mississippi and Oklahoma branches of the Choctaw People, including traditional lore arising from beliefs and myths, historical tales pased down through generations, and personal stories of contemporary life.
      Author: Tingle, Tim HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Walt Whitman: Words for America
      This biography of Walt Whitman extends our knowledge of the poet, both in his growth as a poet and learning of the experiences that were the source of his poetry. Back matter contains more biographical and historical information, sources, and full poems
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Wanted Dead or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman
      This is a spellbinding yet simply written account of Harriet Tubman and how she led hundreds of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
      Author: McGovern, Ann HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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

    What to Do about Alice?
      This fun to read story of Alice Roosevelt provides a great introduction to childhood life in the White House.
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    What to Do about Alice?
      This fun to read story of Alice Roosevelt provides a great introduction to childhood life in the White House.
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Wild Boy, The
      The author tells a very sympathetic account of the wild child of Aveyron, France, who was captured and studied in the early 1800's. Dr. Itard and his housekeeper become the family of this boy who never acquired all the traits of a "civilized" person.
      Author: Gerstein, Mordicai

    Yellow House, The
      During a brief few months of their productive artistic years, the painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gaugin shared a yellow house in Arles, in southern France. The book is illustrated with their works of art and the illustrator's researched depiction of
      Author: Rubin, Susan HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    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

History > time period > 20th Century
    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

    Anastasia's Album
      This biography of Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, is told through photos and memorabilia and reveals the mystery behind her death.
      Author: Brewster, Hugh HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Bat Boy and His Violin, The
      Reginald is more interested in his violin than his father's job managing the worst baseball team in the Negro Leagues. Then his father makes him the team's bat boy, and his music begins to lead the team to victory. Father and son begin to understand each
      Author: Curtis, Gavin

    Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement
      Activist Bayard Rustin is the focus of this biography, although the book also provides a great deal of information about the 20th century Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
      Author: Haskins, James HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Berenice Abbott, Photographer
      The biography's subtitle "An Independent Vision" suggests the creativity, innovation, perservance that Berenice Abbot exhibited as she pursued the newly emerging field of photography and associated with the leading photographers of the 1920's and 1930's.
      Author: Sullivan, George HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Big Annie of Calumet
      Big Annie is the story of Annie Clemenc who led the miners' strike of 1913 in Calumet, Michigan against the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. The book contains many photographs of the strike and conditions in the mines and a brief overview of the Industri
      Author: Stanley, Jerry HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Birches
      On each page Ed Young illustrates trees and forests and the countryside, in browns and sepia tones, and presents them along with several lines of Robert Frost's well-known poem, "Birches." The poem is printed in its entirety again on the last two pages.
      Author: Frost, Robert HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The
      Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-with" (Auschwitz) in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence. Bruno climbs into the camp to spend more time with hi
      Author: Boyne, John HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Brave Harriet
      The story of Harriet Quimby, the first woman to earn a pilot's license and the first woman to fly across the English Channel, is told in the first person. An author's note adds historical facts.
      Author: Moss, Marissa HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Carl Sandburg: Adventures of a Poet
      An episodic biography of Carl Sandburg in which each episode is accompanied by a colorful illustration and an excerpt of his poetry or prose.
      Author: Niven, Penelope HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Carver
      Personal and professional details of the life of George Washington Carver are told in poems from the perspectives of many people.
      Author: Nelson, Marilyn HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Century That Was, The
      Each of the 11 chapters of this fascinating look back at the 20th century focuses on a different topic: war, immigration, transportation, politics, religion, the environment, etc. Each chapter is written by a noted young adult author. Several different ty
      Author: Giblin, James Cross (Ed.) HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Champions on the Bench: The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars
      In 1955, the Cannon St YMCA's Little League team (from SC) cannot play in the Little League World Series because all-white teams refuse to play them. The story told in this book is based on these real events.
      Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Champions on the Bench: The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars
      In 1955, the Cannon St YMCA's Little League team (from SC) cannot play in the Little League World Series because all-white teams refuse to play them. The story told in this book is based on these real events.
      Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Charlie Chaplin
      This interesting biography of Charlie Chaplin discusses his life and work from his impoverished boyhood in London through his Hollywood film career to exile in Europe, ending with knighthood in England. The author expands the use of the book with a bibli
      Author: Turk, Ruth HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Children of the Dust Bowl
      The book recounts the migration of the "Okies" during the Great Depression to the camps in California. School Superintendent Leo Hart began the Weedpatch School where children of the migrants escaped the ostracism of the locals in a model learn-by-doing
      Author: Stanley, Jerry HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Children We Remember, The
      Archive photographs and a simple text tell the story of the Nazis' attempt to starve and kill the Jews during WW II.
      Author: Abells, Chana HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Close to Shore
      The author details the first shark attacks in American history along the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey in 1916. One reviewer thought the book would appeal to males especially. The suspenseful style makes the book read like a novel.
      Author: Michael Capuzzo HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Coast to Coast with Alice
      A fictionalized account of the real 1909 journey of four women who crossed the country in a Maxwell car becoming the first women to do so. Written as a journal by Minna Jahns, the 15-year-old friend of Alice Ramsey, the narrative includes the physical dif
      Author: Hyatt, Patricia Rusch HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Coming Home
      The book tells the story of Langston Hughes' lonely childhood, demonstrating that certain themes and ideas that later emerged in Hughes' poetry grew from his experiences as a child.
      Author: Cooper, Floyd HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Coming On Home Soon
      A kitten comforts a young African American girl as she and her grandmother wait for the mother's return from working in Chicago during World War II.
      Author: Woodson, Jaqueline

    Day That Changed America, A :D-Day June 6, 1944
      The story of D-day, the freeing of France from Nazi control. Told through four real men: a paratrooper, a medic, an infantryman, and a fighter pilot. It is illustrate with paintings and also uses actual photos. It gives reality to this historic event.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Day That Changed America, A :D-Day June 6, 1944
      The story of D-day, the freeing of France from Nazi control. Told through four real men: a paratrooper, a medic, an infantryman, and a fighter pilot. It is illustrate with paintings and also uses actual photos. It gives reality to this historic event.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Disaster of the Hindenburg, The
      The author describes the last flight of the Hindenburg through the eyes of some if the passengers and crew. Included are pictures and diagrams of the great airship.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    E. E. Cummings
      This extensive biography of the American poet and artist, E. E. Cummings, also conveys the history of the times, especially of artistic movements. Drawings, archival photographs, and segments of poems expand the biographical information.
      Author: Reef, Catherine HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow
      Illustrated with beautifully reproduced paintings in chronological order, this biography of the American artist Edward Hopper recounts his long, productive life, his marriage to artist Josephine Nivison, and his friendships with fellow artists Guy Pene du
      Author: Rubin, Susan Goldman HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Eleanor
      This biography of Eleanor Roosevelt's early life conveys the emotionally impoverished childhood amid wealth and power. The book captures the indomitable spirit of the woman who would become the greatest and most beloved First Lady and a leader in her own
      Author: Cooney, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Eleanor, Quiet No More
      The author tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt's life simply, each phase emphasizing a quote of hers. In addition to lovely, soft illustrations, the author includes a timeline, selected bibliograph, and web sites.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Eleanor, Quiet No More
      The author tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt's life simply, each phase emphasizing a quote of hers. In addition to lovely, soft illustrations, the author includes a timeline, selected bibliograph, and web sites.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Exploring the Titanic: How the Greatest Ship Ever Lost-Was Found
      Author Robert Ballard led the expedition to find and explore the Titanic. This book simultaneously tells the story of the Titanic's construction, maiden voyage, sinking, and rediscovery. This is a long book, and only GED students would be able to read i
      Author: Ballard, Robert HSE Descriptors: social studies | math

    Farewell, John Barleycorn
      This book tells the story of what happened after Prohibition began (1/17/20). Authentic illustrations and photographs illustrate the volume.
      Author: Hintz, Martin HSE Descriptors: social studies

    FDR's Alphabet Soup
      The author documents FDR's New Deal agencies from 1932-1939 with lively text, extensive research, and marvelous archival materials and photographs that is extremely timely for the economic conditions of 2012. A postscript, glossary, notes, selected resou
      Author: Bolden, Tonya HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Flight
      This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Lindbergh's daring flight over the Atlantic in 1927. It opens with a brief historical note by author Jean Fritz.
      Author: Burleigh, Robert HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gandhi
      The remarkable life of Mahatma Gandhi is told through simple text and beautiful Moghul-inspired illustrations. An author's note includes additional information and maps locate the principle places involved in his life.
      Author: Demi HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Genius: A Photobiography of Albert Einstein
      This photobiography of Albert Einstein documents his celebrated scientific achievements and his lesser-known stands for freedom and opposition of tyrants from Hitler to McCarthy. The story of his family life gives insights into his pursuit of questioning
      Author: Delano, Marfe Ferguson HSE Descriptors: science

    Genius: A Photobiography of Albert Einstein
      This photobiography of Albert Einstein documents his celebrated scientific achievements and his lesser-known stands for freedom and opposition of tyrants from Hitler to McCarthy. The story of his family life gives insights into his pursuit of questioning
      Author: Delano, Marfe Ferguson HSE Descriptors: science

    Georgia's Bones
      A biography of the artist Georgia O'Keeffe's early years "celebrates her fascination with natural shapes and 'common objects'" with rich text and color-saturated illustrations. The text explores themes including creativity, diversity (in ways of being in
      Author: Bryant, Jen HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
      This 'slice of life' biography describes the weeks surrounding Gershwin's composing and premiering Rhapsody in Blue. A CD of the music is included. The illustrations, which look very Noel Coward, capture the 20's look.
      Author: Celenza, Anna

    Gleam and Glow
      The story of a family who fled from the Bosnian-Serb forces to a refugee camp in 1990. When they returned to their home in 1995 they found everything destroyed except 2 pet fish.
      Author: Bunting, Eve HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gleam and Glow
      The story of a family who fled from the Bosnian-Serb forces to a refugee camp in 1990. When they returned to their home in 1995 they found everything destroyed except 2 pet fish.
      Author: Bunting, Eve HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gratefully Yours
      Orphaned by a New York tenement fire in 1920, Hattie rides an orphan train to Nebraska where she joins the Jansen household, Henry and his wife Elizabeth. The story relates the loss and healing process that both Hattie and Elizabeth experience. The stor
      Author: Buchanan, Jane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Great Migration, The
      This book consists of reprints of a series of sixty paintings, by Jacob Lawrence, depicting the migration of African-Americans from the South to the North. In search of a better life, people moved by the thousands, from rural lifestyles to urban poverty.
      Author: Lawrence, Jacob HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Half Spoon of Rice
      Nine-year old Nat is forced from his home and marched into the countryside when the Khmer Rouge takes power. He is separated from his family and is forced to labor in the rice fields for four years. He survives and is reunited with his family. A surviva
      Author: Smith, Icy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Half Spoon of Rice
      Nine-year old Nat is forced from his home and marched into the countryside when the Khmer Rouge takes power. He is separated from his family and is forced to labor in the rice fields for four years. He survives and is reunited with his family. A surviva
      Author: Smith, Icy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
      Bessie was 103 and Sadie was 105 when they collaborated with Amy Hill Hearth to write this story of their lives and times. Additionally the Delany sisters offer their perspectives on society, living conditions, people, events, etc. from the past century.
      Author: Delany, Sarah & Delany, A. Elizabeth HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Home Run
      The main text is a simply written, poetic account of one of Babe Ruth's at bats. The vintage-style baseball cards on each page provide additional information about Ruth. The illustrations are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell.
      Author: Burleigh, Robert HSE Descriptors: | math

    Houdini: The Handcuff King
      This graphic novel presents a possible explanation for the success of one of Houdini's famous escapes.
      Author: Lutes, Jason & Bertozzi, Nick

    House, House
      In the late 1800's, the How brothers took photographs of houses in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Author Jane Yolen wrote text to accompany photographs of the same houses taken by her son in the 1990's. A bibliography extends the historical information.
      Author: Yolen, Jane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Hurricanes
      This story of hurricanes in the 20th Century--how they form, how scientists study them, how people prepare for them--is illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and maps and contains a list of books for further reading.
      Author: Lauber, Patricia HSE Descriptors: science

    I Am an American: A True Story of Japanese Internment
      Both the close, personal view and the broader societal view of the U.S. and especially Japanese Americans during WW II are portrayed here. The text is illustrated with photographs taken at the time. An index and a few maps are also included.
      Author: Stanley, Jerry HSE Descriptors: social studies

    I, Too, Sing America
      This is a collection of poetry, arranged chronologically, by African-American poets. Biographies of the poets accompany their poems.
      Author: Clinton, Catherine (comp.) HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Immigrant Kids
      In this unique book, noted nonfiction writer Russell Freedman offers a rare glimpse of what it meant to be a young newcomer to America in the early 1900s.
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Jazz ABZ
      Each letter of the alphabet introduces a famous jazz musician in a different poetic form. Of particular interest to teachers and students are the biographical sketches of the musicians and excellent notes on the poetic forms. The phenominal art work is
      Author: Marsalis, Wynton HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Jazz: My Music, My People
      This stunningly illustrated book offers short biographies of dozens of musicians, from Leadbelly and Jelly Roll Morton to Lena Horne and Dizzy Gillespie.
      Author: Monceaux, Morgan

    Journey, The
      The text tells the history of the Japanese in America. The photographs depict sections of an enormous mural which the author created to "open the past, hoping to chase away the demons of prejudice and injustice."
      Author: Hamanaka, Sheila HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Just What the Doctor Ordered
      This book traces the history of medicine in North America, from the remedies used by native people to the medical advances of the late 20th century. Authentic illustrations accompany the text.
      Author: Miller, Brandon Marie HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Kennedy Through the Lens: How Photography and Television Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Leader
      The highlights of John F. Kennedy's life is told through exquisite full-page photographs, accompanied by quotes and a summary of each event. All aspects of this man are beautifully shown, as a son, a brother, a father, an activist and a leader. The unde
      Author: Sandler, Martin W. HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Kids At Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor
      This book tells the story of Lewis Hine, a teacher and photographer who became so concerned about children working in factories that he became an investigative reporter for the National Child Labor Committee in the early 20th century. The pictures he too
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Let the Celebrations Begin!
      During WW II, in the concentration camps, women hoarded buttons and odds and ends in order to make the children dolls and presents for the day they would be released. Although the art has been criticized for being too whimsical for its grim subject matte
      Author: Wild, Margaret HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Life Doesn't Frighten Me
      In this single poem, Angelou celebrates courage to face internal and external fears, the courage that grows out of a belief in ourselves. The contemporary art is bold and child-like but may have the power to scare children. The text is repetitive and ea
      Author: Angelou, Maya

    Life Is So Good
      This is the autobiography of George Dawson, grandson of slaves, who began to learn to read at age 98. Like Having Our Say, this book offers an African American perspective to 100 years of history. Moreover, Dawson's character and philosophy for l
      Author: Dawson, George & Glaubman, Richard HSE Descriptors: language arts - writing | social studies

    Malcolm X
      In a clear, simple, and beautifully illustrated text, Walter Dean Myers emphasizes the life not death of Malcolm X as he grew to be a great leader for racial equality. Quotations and a timeline make the text especially useful in the classroom.
      Author: Myers, Walter Dean HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon, The
      This book, written almost in a scrapbook format, tells about Michael Collins, who stayed with the spacecraft while fellow astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. The book contains diagrams, charts, and black and white and colored ph
      Author: Schyffert, Bea Uusma HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Mandela
      This picture book biography tells Nelson Mandela's story, from his childhood to his imprisonment and ultimate freedom.
      Author: Cooper, Floyd HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Maria De Sautuola: The Bulls in the Cave
      The scientific world did not accept until 1902 the discovery of prehistoric cave painting in Altamira, Spain, which was discovered by 9-year-old Maria De Sautuola in 1879.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Martha Graham: A Dancer's Life
      This well-researched and tastefully honest biography recounts the long, productive life of Martha Graham--dancer, teacher, and choreographer. The author includes notes, acknowledgements, picture credits, a selected bibliography, and an index.
      Author: Freedman, Russell HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Maus I: My Father Bleeds History
      This is the first of two volumes about the experiences of the author's parents in the Nazi concentration camps during WWII. The author depicts Jews as mice and Nazis as cats in his illustrations.
      Author: Spiegelman, Art HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Maus II: A Survivor's Tale
      A powerful graphic novel about a father who survived the Nazi concentration camps and his son in which Jews are depicted as mice and Nazis as cats. The story jumps back and forth between the present life in the Catskills and the past life in the camps.
      Author: Spiegelman, Art HSE Descriptors: social studies

    My Freedom Trip: A Child's Escape from North Korea
      This story describes the flight of a young girl from North to South Korea just before the outbreak of the Korean War. The story is told simply with superb illustrations.
      Author: Park, Frances and Park, Ginger HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Night the Bells Rang, The
      This short novel (76 pages), told from the point of view of a farm boy, tells the story of Mason's struggles with a bully, and of his growing up. Although the book has the feel of a reminiscence, the emotions are complex and the characters ring true.
      Author: Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie

    Nikola Tesla
      This biography of little-known scientist Nikola Tesla recounts his life and work on harnessing and advocating for alternating-current electricity with its many engineering applications that we take for granted. Archival photographs illustrate the text.
      Author: Dommermuth-Costa, Carol HSE Descriptors: science

    October 45
      Subtitled "Childhood Memories of the War," this book tells the author's observations of life from September, 1939, when France and England enter the war against Germany, through October, 1945, when Besson goes back to school in peace for the first time.
      Author: Besson, Jean Louis HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein
      This picture book biography of Albert Einstein focuses on his early years when he did not fit in--anywhere. Don Brown illustrates his book in delightful ink and watercolor and includes a biographical note updating the events of the book.
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: science | math

    Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein
      This picture book biography of Albert Einstein focuses on his early years when he did not fit in--anywhere. Don Brown illustrates his book in delightful ink and watercolor and includes a biographical note updating the events of the book.
      Author: Brown, Don HSE Descriptors: science | math

    On Board the Titanic
      An account of the sinking of the Titanic told through the eyes of two of the survivors. Tanaka includes photographs, diagrams, and accurate facts.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    On Board the Titanic
      An account of the sinking of the Titanic told through the eyes of two of the survivors. Tanaka includes photographs, diagrams, and accurate facts.
      Author: Tanaka, Shelley HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story
      Between 1859 and 1929, more than 200,000 children were sent "west" on Orphan Trains. The chapters in this book alternate between telling the larger history of this event and telling the individual story of one Orphan Train Rider, Lee Nailling.
      Author: Warren, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Our House
      Based on her research and interviews, the author tells fictional stories of families in Levittown-one chapter for each decade since the 1940's when the community was developed. The stories are told from a child's point of view but involve the family unit
      Author: Conrad, Pam HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    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

    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

    Persepolis 2
      This graphic novel sequel to Persepolis, depicts the author's rebellious adolescence and early adulthood among dissident outsider friends in Vienna and her voluntary return to her family in fundamentalist Tehran. Readers should be cautioned about referen
      Author: Satrapi, Marjane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Persepolis I: The Story of a Childhood
      In this first of two volumes about the author's life, Satrapi tells of her childhood and coming of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran/Iraq war.
      Author: Satrapi, Marjane HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - writing

    Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange
      This biography of photographer Dorthea Lange contains many of her photographs. Lange photographed and helped raise awareness of the poor conditions of the migrant workers during the Depression.
      Author: Partridge, Ellizabeth HSE Descriptors: literature and arts | social studies

    Rio Grande Stories
      In Albuquerque, 7th grade students decide to write a book on their diverse heritage to raise money for the school. As they research traditions and family stories, they learn unexpected things about themselves. Chapters alternate between stories about th
      Author: Meyer, Carolyn

    Romare Bearden
      This biography of the multi-talented artist Romare Bearden is vibrantly illustrated with reproductions of his work. An author's note, a timeline, a bibliography, a glossary, and a list of the locations of art works make the book as useful in the classroo
      Author: Greenberg, Jan HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Rose Blanche
      A young girl shares her food with those behind barbed wire in Nazi Germany. The title was the name of the German resistance movement during Hitler's regime.
      Author: Innocenti, Roberto HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Ruth Law Thrills a Nation
      The author recounts in easy text and wondrful watercolor illustrations the 1919 flight of Ruth Law from Chicago to New York.
      Author: Don Brown HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - writing

    Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow
      The story of Satchel Paige's baseball career told by a fictional baseball player who once batted against Paige. Biographical and historical information are included in a preface and appendix.
      Author: Sturm, James and Tommaso, Rich HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shadow Children, The
      While visiting his grandfather in France, Etienne discovers a secret from the days of World War II and the Nazis.
      Author: Schnur, Steven HSE Descriptors: social studies

    She's Been Working on the Railroad
      Women began working on the railroads in the mid-1800s and still do so today. This is their story. The text is illustrated with photographs, and a variety of textual aids (e.g., glossary, index) are also included.
      Author: Levinson, Nancy Smiler HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shimmy, Shimmy, Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
      Noted author Nikki Giovanni has selected and comments on poems by some of the greatest African-American writers of this century.
      Author: Giovanni, Nikki HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Shin's Tricycle
      This powerful story tells about the effects of the atom bomb on an ordinary Japanese family, especially on the little boy Shin. It ends with an author's note about the Peace Museum.
      Author: Kodama, Tatsuharu HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shutting Out the Sky
      Subtitled "Life in the Tenements of New York, 1880-1924,," the chapters in this book offer information and perspectives on all aspects of immigration and life in NYC. Photographs and text document the experiences of five individuals from Belarus, Italy, L
      Author: Hopkinson, Deborah HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Sigmund Freud
      This biography introduces the history of the study of the physical and emotional aspects of the mind as well as the colorful life of Sigmund Freud. Additional resources include an appendix, a bibliography, web sites, and an index.
      Author: Krull, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: science

    Silent Boy, The
      Katy,the young and curious daughter of a small-town doctor living in 1908, learns about life, death, and social distinctions from her family and her friend, Jacob, who is "touched."
      Author: Lowry, Lois

    Sky Pioneer
      This biography of American aviatrix Amelia Earhart traces her interest in aviation from childhood to her disappearance on a round-the-world flight in 1937. Photographs, journal entries, maps, a chronology, an afterword, a bibliography, and an index sugge
      Author: Szabo, Corinne HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Something Permanent
      Walker Evans' photographs of southern United States during the Depression years are stark and haunting, and Cynthia Rylant's short poems describe their stories beautifully.
      Author: Rylant, Cynthia HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Starting Home
      The full title of this book is Starting Home: The Story of Horace Pippin, Painter. Lyons tells the story of Pippin, an African-American painter, with a style that makes compelling reading. The book chronicles the effect of history and the impac
      Author: Lyons, Mary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Steam, Steel, and Stars
      In 1955, the photographer O.W. Link captured the last steam railroad on its last runs in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
      Author: Link, O. W. and Hensley, F. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Stolen Smile, The
      This somewhat fictionalized account recounts the stealing of Leonardi da Vinci's painting Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia. End notes provide additional cultural and historical information.
      Author: Lewis, J. Patrick HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Timelines Flight: Fliers and Flying Machines
      This nonfiction book contains information related to aviation and aviators (starting with Daedalus and Icarus). The book is densely illustrated; all illustrations are captioned, and some are labeled. A time line, a glossary, and an index conclude the bo
      Author: Jefferis, David HSE Descriptors: science

    Trial By Ice
      Illustrated by archival photographs, this biography recounts the life and expeditions of Ernest Shackleton in his attempts to reach the South Pole (he never did). He is nonetheless revered for his leadership, optimism, and courage. Teachers will find th
      Author: Kostyal, K. M. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Under the Sun
      After his father sends him and his mother to relatives outside Sarajevo to escape the perils of the war in the former Yugoslavia, 13-year-old Ehmet must find the way through land mines, burned villages, and hostile bands of armed men to his grandparents i
      Author: Dorros, Arthur HSE Descriptors: social studies

    V is for Victory: America Remembers WWII
      This amazingly detailed book provides the reader with a capsule history of one of the most horrific wars in history. The photographs, maps, headlines, etc. add to the books impact. This is a perfect reference book. Open this book to all the drama, passion
      Author: Krull, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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

    Wall, The
      In this emotionally charged book told from the point of view of the child, a boy and his dad look for the grandfather's name on the Vietnam Memorial.
      Author: Bunting, Eve HSE Descriptors: social studies

    War Boy: A Country Childhood
      The author describes his childhood in a small coastal town in England, which was often bombed during WW II. He offers technical descriptions of gas masks, bomb shelters, etc., as well as describing the games children played and how they interacted with s
      Author: Foreman, Michael HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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 Shall Not Be Moved
      This is the story of the shirtwaist industry in New York (early 1900s) and the young women who formed a union, managed a months-long strike, and brought the nation's attention to their low pay and cruel working conditions.
      Author: Dash, Joan HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Well, The
      Set in Mississippi in the early 1900's, African American David Logan and his family share their well with blacks and whites in their community which leads to racial violence.
      Author: Taylor, Mildred

    What to Do about Alice?
      This fun to read story of Alice Roosevelt provides a great introduction to childhood life in the White House.
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    What to Do about Alice?
      This fun to read story of Alice Roosevelt provides a great introduction to childhood life in the White House.
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    When Jessie Came Across the Sea
      Jesse leaves her village for America where she earns money to bring her grandmother to America in time for her wedding.
      Author: Hest, Amy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Wolf on the Fold
      Six linked storeis follow an Australian family from 1935 to 2002 as different generations cope with discord and violence. The use of flashbacks may cause some readers difficulty.
      Author: Clarke, Judith

    Wright Sister, The,
      Often portrayed through letters, this biography, of Katherine Wright, the sister of Orville and Wilbur Wright, is told against the historical background of the restrictions on women.
      Author: Maurer, Richard HSE Descriptors: social studies

History > time period > 20th Century > 1960's
    Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement
      Activist Bayard Rustin is the focus of this biography, although the book also provides a great deal of information about the 20th century Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
      Author: Haskins, James HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Birmingham, 1963
      A fictional narrator tells, in poetry, about the day she turned 10, which was also the day of the church bombing in Birmingham
      Author: Weatherford, Carole HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Founders, The
      Brief biographies of the people who signed the Constitution are accompanied by brief descriptions of the 13 colonies at the time of signing. The Constitution is printed at end of the book.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom on the Menu
      The author portrays the 1960's Civil Rights sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina through the eyes of a young Southern black girls. Richly muted paintings illustrate the story.
      Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom Riders
      This book, illustrated with historical photographs, tells the story of two young men, one white and one black, whose common goal in life is to bring equality between the races. Their story is set during the historic freedom rides of the Civil Rights Move
      Author: Bausum, Ann HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom School, Yes
      When their house is attacked because her mother volunteered to take in the young white woman who has come to teach black children at the Freedom School, Jolie is afraid, but she overcomes her fear after learning the value of education. Based on interviews
      Author: Littlesugar, Amy HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Kennedy Through the Lens: How Photography and Television Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Leader
      The highlights of John F. Kennedy's life is told through exquisite full-page photographs, accompanied by quotes and a summary of each event. All aspects of this man are beautifully shown, as a son, a brother, a father, an activist and a leader. The unde
      Author: Sandler, Martin W. HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, The
      The story of Peter Mark Roget, creator of Roget's Thesaurus complete with his biography, time line of current events and wonderful illustrations. Both Robert F Sibert medal and Caldecott Honor Book.
      Author: Bryant, Jen HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies | language arts - writing | science

    Ruth and the Green Book
      An easy narrative about travel in this country by car for African Americans in the 50s and 60s. Ruth's story is fiction, but the "The Negro Motorist Green Book" and its role in helping a generation of African American travelers avoid some of the indigniti
      Author: Ramsey, Calvin A. HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    Team Moon
      This fact-filled book commemorates the achievement of 400,00 people of "team moon" who were responsible for the first walk in space in July, 1969. Color photographs, biographies, annotated source material, websites for further information, a glossary, a
      Author: Thimmesh, Catherine HSE Descriptors: science

    Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, The
      The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family from Flint, Michigan are drastically changed after a trip to Alabama in 1963. This is a powerful book, sometimes powerfully funny and sometimes powerfully touching
      Author: Curtis, Christopher P. HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

History > time period > 21st Century
    If America Were a Village
      Smith uses the a village of 100 people to represent the 306 millions living in the US today. Facts and illustrations create a snapshot of who we are and what we do. This book helps to define America's diversity by shrinking it to a village of 100 people
      Author: Smith, Davei J HSE Descriptors: math | social studies | language arts - writing

History > time period > ancient history
    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

    Librarian Who Measured the Earth, The
      A "responsibly imagined" biography of Eratosthenes, the librarian of the great library in Alexandria, Egypt,in the 3rd Century B. C., describes how he measured the circumference of the earth.
      Author: Lasky, Kathryn HSE Descriptors: math

    Secrets of the Sphinx
      Beautiful illustrations and extensive supplementary material accompany this well-researched history of the Egyptian Sphinx from prehistory to the present.
      Author: Giblin, James Cross HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
      This book is the story of the many groups of people who discovered America before Columbus. The book is thoroughly researched and documented showing the contributions of the many people who inhabited America well before Columbus. The book includes bibliog
      Author: Freedman, Russel HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
      This book is the story of the many groups of people who discovered America before Columbus. The book is thoroughly researched and documented showing the contributions of the many people who inhabited America well before Columbus. The book includes bibliog
      Author: Freedman, Russel HSE Descriptors: social studies

History > time period > Middle Ages
    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

    Boy Named Giotto, A
      This exquisitely illustrated biography portrays the early years of the Renaissance painter, Giotto, who lived in Italy from 1267-1337.
      Author: Guarnieri, Paolo HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Breaking Into Print
      The history of the production of books from quills to movable type to the printing press is illustrated in the style of woodcuts and illuminated borders. The book includes a timetable of the history of printing.
      Author: Krensky, Stephan HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Castle
      This engaging informational book tells the story of the step-by-step planning and construction of a (fictitious) castle in England in the last part of the 13th century. Eventually the castle is attacked by Welsh soldiers, but it withstands the siege. Th
      Author: Macaulay, David HSE Descriptors: science

    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

    Don Quixote and the Windmills
      This retelling of the famous Spanish novel by Cervantes recounts Don Quixote's first adventure as a knight. An Author's Note contributes historical information about Cervantes.
      Author: Kimmel, Eric HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    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

    Gutenberg
      This black and white picture book tells the story of Johann Gutenberg, creator of the printing press. It includes a map, time line, and afterword.
      Author: Fisher, Leonard Everett HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Hero Beowulf, The
      This prose retelling of the first part of the earliest poem in English (Anglo Saxon, actually) has strong, vibrant illustrations and helpful supplementary material.
      Author: Kimmel, Eric A. HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Joan of Arc
      The author weaves together historical fact and fiction in the story of a modern French girl who idolizes Joan of Arc. An historical map and beautiful illustrations enhance the stories.
      Author: Morpurgo, Michael HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Joan of Arc
      This beautifully illustrated and researched biography of the French peasant girl who became known as Joan of Arc describes how she led the French against the English in the 100 Year's War. The book includes an historical background of the 100 Year's War,
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Little History of the World, The
      Originally written in 1936 by a famous art historian and published in a new translation in 2005, this Euro-centric view of world events provides an accessible panorama of history, generalized but with sufficient detail to be interesting. Occasionally the
      Author: Gombrich, E. H.

    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

    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

    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

    Saladin
      This beautifully illustrated biography of the revered Islamic hero, Saladin, provides a balanced view of the Crusades. The book includes a map, historical context, a postscript of history post-Saladin, a glossary, and a bibliography.
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Sir Gawain & the Green Knight
      The author retells this famous tale of one of the knights of King Arthur's famous Roundtable, in which Gawain accepts a challenge of a giant green knight that leads to further trials at the end of one year. Vivid illustrations contribute to the sense of
      Author: Morpurgo, Michael HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Starry Messenger
      The simply told story of Galileo's life and "house arrest" for his work in physics and astronomy is enriched with historic maps, journal entries and lavish illustrations.
      Author: Sis, Peter HSE Descriptors: science

    Theodoric's Rainbow
      Although Theodoric of Freiberg lived, wrote, and experimented from 1250 AD to 1311 AD, the author has created a fictionalized personal life of this man who studied reflection and refraction of light in a period in which science was in conflict with religi
      Author: Kramer, Stephen HSE Descriptors: science

    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

    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

    Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
      This book is the story of the many groups of people who discovered America before Columbus. The book is thoroughly researched and documented showing the contributions of the many people who inhabited America well before Columbus. The book includes bibliog
      Author: Freedman, Russel HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
      This book is the story of the many groups of people who discovered America before Columbus. The book is thoroughly researched and documented showing the contributions of the many people who inhabited America well before Columbus. The book includes bibliog
      Author: Freedman, Russel HSE Descriptors: social studies

History > time period > Middle Ages > Crusades
    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

    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

    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

    Saladin
      This beautifully illustrated biography of the revered Islamic hero, Saladin, provides a balanced view of the Crusades. The book includes a map, historical context, a postscript of history post-Saladin, a glossary, and a bibliography.
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: social studies

History > time period > Prehistory
    Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde, The
      The Anasazi, "the ancient ones" in Navajo, had a unique and well developed culture. Around 1300, they simply vanished. Today, their home (Mesa Verde) is a national park. This carefully researched text recreates the Anasazi's way of life and explores th
      Author: Arnold, Caroline HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Bog Bodies
      The discovery of the Lindow Man in a bog in England in 1984 provides the structure for the archeological and anthropological study of human remains found in bogs. The author includes a map, source notes, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index that are
      Author: Buell, Janet HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Dinosaur Ghosts
      Paleontologists suggest explanations for the many fossils of the dinosaur Coelophysis which were discovered in New Mexico. The index includes a pronunciation guide.
      Author: Gillette, J. Lynett HSE Descriptors: science

    Great Unknown, The
      This biography of Charles Wilson Peale, artist and paleontologist, describes how he excavated, assembled, and displayed bones of a prehistoric mastodon in 1801. The author includes a map and a glossary.
      Author: Morrison, Taylor HSE Descriptors: science | language arts - writing

    History of Counting, The
      This is an accessible and interesting historical look at how and why numbers came to be. The author includes a useful glossary and index. Reviewers considered this a reference book rather than a leisure reading book.
      Author: Schmandt-Besserat, Denise HSE Descriptors: math

    House of Wisdom, The
      A true story is retold. Ishaq, a young boy in 9th century Baghdad, witnesses the "House of Wisdom," a cross between a library and an academy where books are shared and scholars come to read and exchange ideas.
      Author: Heide, Florence Parry, and Gilliland, Judith Heide HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Little History of the World, The
      Originally written in 1936 by a famous art historian and published in a new translation in 2005, this Euro-centric view of world events provides an accessible panorama of history, generalized but with sufficient detail to be interesting. Occasionally the
      Author: Gombrich, E. H.

    Maria De Sautuola: The Bulls in the Cave
      The scientific world did not accept until 1902 the discovery of prehistoric cave painting in Altamira, Spain, which was discovered by 9-year-old Maria De Sautuola in 1879.
      Author: Fradin, Dennis HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Right Here on This Spot
      Very easy text and beautiful illustrations chronicle changes in one farmer's field over the centuries.
      Author: Addy, Sharon Hart HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Story of Clocks and Calendars, The: Marking a Millennium
      To celebrate the new millennium issued in by the year 2000, this well-illustrated book tells the history of timekeeping with the emphasis on calendars and clocks. The endmatter includes additional information in a glossary of different measures of time a
      Author: Maestro, Betsy HSE Descriptors: science

    Time Flies
      In this book time unravels and dinosaurs spring to life as a bird makes a journey back through the ages.
      Author: Rohmann, Eric

    Where the Buffalo Roam
      An expanded version of the words to the song "Home on the Range" and watercolor illustrations portray the geography, petroglyphs, plants, and endangered wild animals of the American Southwest.
      Author: Geis, Jacqueline

    Who Came Down That Road?
      A mother answers her son's question, "Who came down that road, Mama?" by going back through time to the creation of the world.
      Author: Lyon, George Ella HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

History > time period > Renaissance
    Boy Named Giotto, A
      This exquisitely illustrated biography portrays the early years of the Renaissance painter, Giotto, who lived in Italy from 1267-1337.
      Author: Guarnieri, Paolo HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Don Quixote and the Windmills
      This retelling of the famous Spanish novel by Cervantes recounts Don Quixote's first adventure as a knight. An Author's Note contributes historical information about Cervantes.
      Author: Kimmel, Eric HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Genius of Leonardo, The
      Giacomo, a servant of Leonardo da Vinci, recounts the later life of the famous Italian Renaissance painter and inventor. The magnificent illustrations capture sketches, works of art, and daily life and the text includes quotation in italics from the note
      Author: Visconti, Guido HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England
      This is a biography of Elizabeth I of England, a queen whose strong will, shrewd diplomacy, tolerance, and concern for her subjects make her one of the best known British monarchs.
      Author: Stanley, Diane & Vennema, Peter HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Leonardo Da Vinci
      This biography of Da Vinci's life has beautiful illustrations in various Renaissance styles and a pronunciation guide, a foreword about the historical period, and a postscript that demonstrates the vulnerability of works of art.
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading

    Leonardo daVinci
      This fascinating biography of Leonardo daVinci emphasizes his scientific curiosity and observation of the natural world that he recorded in his illustrated notebooks. The author has included very helpful resources: location of the notebooks today; books
      Author: Krull, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: science

    Leonardo's Horse
      Contemporary sculptors completed the horse that Leonardo da Vinci began but never finished.
      Author: Fritz, Jean HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading

    Little History of the World, The
      Originally written in 1936 by a famous art historian and published in a new translation in 2005, this Euro-centric view of world events provides an accessible panorama of history, generalized but with sufficient detail to be interesting. Occasionally the
      Author: Gombrich, E. H.

    Michelangelo
      Diane Stanley has added to her work another stunningly visual biography filled with details of the painter, sculptor, and poet Michelangelo Buonarroti. The beautiful illustrations refer to famous works and people of the times. The book includes a useful
      Author: Stanley, Diane HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    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

    Starry Messenger
      The simply told story of Galileo's life and "house arrest" for his work in physics and astronomy is enriched with historic maps, journal entries and lavish illustrations.
      Author: Sis, Peter HSE Descriptors: science

History > time period > Renaissance > Elizabethan England
    Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England
      This is a biography of Elizabeth I of England, a queen whose strong will, shrewd diplomacy, tolerance, and concern for her subjects make her one of the best known British monarchs.
      Author: Stanley, Diane & Vennema, Peter HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Pirate Queen, The
      This story, based on historical fact and colorful legend, chronicles the life of Grania O'Malley, an Irish woman who became a sea captain and pirate during the reign of Elizabeth I.
      Author: McCully, Emily A. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    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


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