Day of the Assassins

Written by Johnny O'Brien

Most enjoyed by WWI fans in 6th through 8th grade

There are not many books, either fiction or non-fiction, available for young readers interested in World War I, although a few have popped up recently. 'Day of the Assassins' by Jack Christie is one of these titles that does a nice job of mixing the war, time travel, and mystery in one story.

Jack Christie never really knew his father. His mother, who left with Jack when he was young, has never told him much about the man. Now, Jack wishes she had, because he's discovered that his father is up to something. Something big. Something involving time travel and a chance to change history.

When Jack and his friend Angus get sent back in time to 1914 Austria, they are pursued not just by Jack's father's friend, but by members of VIGIL, an organization committed to making sure the time travel machine cannot change history. As they try to escape VIGIL, they meet a young woman who asks for their help in carrying out the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, the event that triggered the war. If Jack is able to stop the assassination, World War I will never happen, but should he stop it? What will happen to history if he does?

Filled with plenty of action to keep readers turning the page, 'Day of the Assassins' is a thriller wrapped up in history and seasoned with time travel. The author's notes in the back of the book provide factual information about the assassination plot, the political climate of the time, and what happened to the assassins afterward. Period photographs placed throughout help identify key historical figures. Great for historical fiction fans as well as those that like action novels, 'Day of the Assassins' is well worth the read.

Sea of the Dead

Written by Julia Durango

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Take a close look at the cover of 'Sea of the Dead' before you begin reading. The clothes worn by the characters, the prow of the boat, and the large pyramid structure in the background will help set the time and place for this excellent book.

Kehl is the youngest son of the Warrior Prince. He lives in the shadow of his older brother who is much more skilled at the art of warfare than Kehl. Kehl's interest lies with maps and map making, but as the son of a great warrior, he is expected to follow in his father's footsteps. One evening, after a particularly difficult training session, Kehl is snatched from his bedroom, kidnapped by followers of the Fallen King. For years, Kehl has heard how the Fallen murdered his mother so his hatred of them runs deep. Sailing on the seas with them, though, Kehl learns that all his schooling may have been wrong. Kehl finds himself admiring the Fallen, and begins to question the damage done to the people by his Empire. His true loyalty is tested, though, when he has a chance to escape from his captors. Will he flee or will he stand up to his father and the Empire?

'Sea of the Dead' is a book you don't want to miss. Part historical fiction, part adventure story, it's one that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Kehl during his kidnapping and rescue. The ending is a bit of a surprise as Kehl finds out the truth about his father, but I won't tell anymore because that will spoil it for you. You'll just have to read 'Sea of the Dead' yourself!

Candace Fleming is Coming to Woodstock!

This past spring, Zion was fortunate to host the incredibly talented author Candace Fleming. Candace talked about her scrapbook biography of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, titled appropriately enough, The Lincoln's (read my review of the book here). Our junior high students were in awe of the amount of work Candace puts into her books, especially as she showed us the number of rewrites she accumulates as she works to make the book perfect.

At that time, Candace shared the title of her forthcoming book about P.T. Barnum. The book has been released recently, and now she's coming to Woodstock to talk about it! This Saturday, September 19th, you can visit with Candace again when she comes to Read Between the Lynes bookstore on the Square in Woodstock to promote The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum. Candace will discuss both this book and her Lincoln book at 3PM at the store. This is a great opportunity to hear Candace speak again about how she brings these historic figures to life in such incredible detail. You can be sure I'll be there. Will you join me?

Lincoln Through the Lens

How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life

Written by Martin W. Sandler

Most enjoyed by history lovers in 5th through 8th Grade

This excellent biography of Lincoln portrays him as a media savvy candidate and president who used the developing technology of photography to his advantage. It’s an interesting presentation in light of our recent election where many of the candidates took advantage of today’s technologies (i.e., test messaging, the Internet) in their campaigns much as Lincoln used photography. Young readers will find themselves engrossed by the pictures so much so that they will gravitate to the accompanying text to learn more. Some of the photographs are dramatic, such as the enlarged photo that shows Lincoln at the Gettysburg dedication and a long-lost photo of Lincoln lying in state.

Young readers who can’t get enough of Lincoln will enjoy ‘Lincoln Through the Lens’. A great addition to any Lincoln collection, find this on our shelves in the History section. Our review copy was provided by the publishers, Walker and Company, thanks to The Picnic Basket, a source of blog reviews for teachers and librarians. Find my review of this book on their website here.

Our Abe Lincoln

Written by Jim Aylesworth
Illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 1st Graders

I love this book. This is a perfect picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln to share with preschoolers, Kindergartners and 1st graders. As the book begins, we see children getting ready to present a play called ‘Our Abe Lincoln’. Each two-page spread shows another act in the play, or episode in Lincoln’s life. Some of the episodes are familiar, such as his log cabin birth and his election to the presidency. But some may be new - his family’s early three-sided home in Indiana or Lincoln’s visit to a customer he had overcharged. The story can be sung to the tune of ‘The Old Grey Mare’ which is what makes it a hit with young listeners. Barbara McClintock’s illustrations of the costumed kids portraying the historical characters are charming. Some of the pictures are so detailed one could make an ‘I Spy’ game and have readers pouring over the book for hours.

The aspect I liked best about ‘Our Abe Lincoln’ is the way Lincoln’s death is handled. There is no mention of the assassination, which can be a tough topic to talk about with very young children. Instead, the words and accompanying illustration tell of Lincoln’s death in such a way that help kids realize how tragic it was without dwelling on specifics.

Highly recommended, ‘Our Abe Lincoln’ is a title perfect for the littlest Lincoln bicentennial birthday celebrators!

Farmer George Plants a Nation

Written by Peggy Thomas

Illustrated by Layne Johnson

Most enjoyed by 3rd through 8th graders

When we think of George Washington, we usually remember him as a general and president, one of the Founding Fathers of America. But if you asked George himself, he quite possibly would have said he was a farmer first. A very clever and innovative farmer as well.

In 'Farmer George Plants a Nation', author Peggy Thomas gives us the farmer side of George. Inheriting Mount Vernon from his older brother, George improved estate, expanding it from 2,000 to 8,000 acres. He eventually owned 5 farms. Tobacco, which was a money-making crop for farmers at that time, was also very demanding of the soil it grew in. George slowly replaced his tobacco crops with wheat. He also practiced crop rotation, a novel idea at the time, experimented with different types of fertilizers, and created an early type of planter that saved the work of many slaves. George shared everything he learned as a farmer with others around him, hoping that with good stewardship of the land, America would become a world leader in farming.

Woven into the story of George as farmer are the aspects of his life we know so well: his time as a Revolutionary Army general and his presidency. Even during eight years as general and eight years as president, George thought about the farm he loved so much. The illustrations, created by Layne Johnson, portray the farming landscape beautifully.

As George's birthday approaches, take the time to read 'Farmer George Plants a Nation'. Then, instead of cake and ice cream to celebrate, plant some seeds in George's honor. He'd be proud!

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World

By Jane Yolen

Illustrated by Christine Joy Pratt

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Pirate fans rejoice! The gals get their due! As author Jane Yolen points out in 'Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World', pirates weren't just men. There were a few ladies throughout history that grabbed a cutlass and donned breeches in search of booty. This excellent book brings those ladies to life.

The opening chapter gives a brief history of pirating and pirates. The remaining 12 chapters offer the stories of 13 female pirates, beginning with Artemesia in 500 BC and ending with Madame Ching in 19th century China. From around the globe, these women committed acts of piracy as daring as the guys. But how much of these stories are true? Yolen does a nice job of sorting fact from fiction, and what remains is still pretty swashbuckling.

If pirate movies leave you wanting more, come in and check out 'Sea Queens'. It's just the right dose of salty sea story for free time reading!

Picturing America Artwork Received!

It felt like Christmas today here in the library. Back in May, we were awarded a Picturing America grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. I've been anxiously awaiting it's arrival and today was the day!

Included in the set of 40 images are paintings, sculpture, architecture and decorative art that span several centuries of American history. You can make out a few of images in the picture above, but to get a better look, check out the Picturing America website. The collection, heavily laminated so it will last for years, will be used in our classrooms and in the library to expand our knowledge of art and to supplement our study of American history.

Many of the pictures included in the collection will be displayed throughout the halls of Zion this year. Take the time to stop and enjoy them. You may find that your child learned something about that picture today!

Ashes of Roses

By Mary Jane Auch

Most enjoyed by 5th through 8th graders

As Margaret Rose's boat arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, she feels ready for a new beginning and a new name. Calling herself Rose, she and her family arrive to make a new life in America, the land where the streets are paved in gold. But when officials discover her brother has a eye infection, Da must return to Ireland with him leaving Rose, her sisters and mother to fend for themselves. They hope to find a home with their Uncle Patrick but his new wife and her daughters are not welcoming. In frustration, Ma declares they will leave America and go back to Ireland. Rose and her sister Maureen escape at the last minute, determined to try to make a life of their own in this country of opportunity.

Life begins to show promise as Rose and Maureen accept jobs at the Triangle Waist Company, sewing shirts together for fashionable ladies. With Rose's paycheck, the girls go to their first movie, enjoy cheap novels about working girls, and dream of buying one of the shirts they make. But one Saturday, as work finishes, fire breaks out in the factory on the 8th floor. Trapped inside, Rose attempts to flee, forgetting about Maureen until it is too late. Will Maureen survive? Will Rose be able to rebuild her life after tragedy?

The horror of the fire at the Triangle Waist Factory that took place on Saturday, March 25, 1911 is the basis for this gripping novel. Readers will find that the action never stops, with one page-turning event after another. The characters are all believable; you'll come to love many, dislike a few, and find your heart breaking as some of your favorites face the fire. If you like historical fiction, try 'Ashes of Roses' by Mary Jane Auch. It will make you think about what's most important to you.

Abraham Lincoln for Kids:

His Life and Times with 21 Activities

by Janis Herbert

Most enjoyed by families with 3rd through 8th graders

Did you realize that Abraham Lincoln will be 200 years old when we celebrate his birthday on February 12, 2009? Things sure have changed since he was alive. Today, he'd write his famous Gettysburg Address on a computer instead of using a pen. He'd have a chain saw to split logs and would travel in an airplane as president instead of by train. With all those changes, I wonder if he'd still be Abe?

'Abraham Lincoln for Kids' brings Abe and his times to life. Not only does it provide interesting information about Lincoln the man, it's packed with lots of fun activities to recreate what his life was like. Try your hand at making a miniature Mississippi River flatboat or grab a flashlight and practice Morse code. Why not create a freedom quilt to remind you of the quilts slaves followed as they escaped to freedom? How about hosting a strawberry soiree (party) like Mary Todd Lincoln did in the 1850's? There's lots of ideas for fun things to do. When you're done, you just might feel like you know Lincoln a whole lot better!

George Did It!
By Suzanne Tripp Jurmain
Illustrated by Larry Day
Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 4th Graders

Heading off to school to start a new school year can be a bit scary no matter now old you are. Will your teacher be nice? Will there be a lot of homework? Will all the work be hard? These worries can nag us so much we really don't know if we want to go back to school.

Did you know that George Washington was scared to be our first president? Yep, he worried just like you do. After leading America's army in the war for independence, George wanted to go back to his farm and live a peaceful, quiet life with his family. But the nation wouldn't let him. America needed a strong leader for president, someone who could be trusted, admired and respected. Who else but George Washington?

But George didn't see it that way. What if George couldn't manage the government or make friends with the governments of other countries? Everyone was counting on him to do these things but what if he couldn't? What if he didn't know how? Despite his fears and misgivings, George did it. George took on the job of president of the United States and became the role model for presidents to follow, even to this day.

You'll learn a few interesting things about George 'George Did It'. Do you know what color suit George wore to his inauguration? Brown. It was plain brown because, well, George liked brown suits. And he wanted a plain suit so that Americans knew their president was as plain and ordinary as they were.


So, does school seem so scary now that you have had a few days under your belt? Now that you just did it? George would be proud of you!

Give Me Liberty!

The Story of the Declaration of Independence

By Russell Freedman

Most enjoyed by 4th graders and up

The 4th of July is just around the corner which means it's time to remember why we celebrate the day with fireworks, picnics, and baseball. In 'Give Me Liberty!', author Russell Freedman writes about the events and people behind the creation of our most treasured document, the Declaration of Independence. Freedman goes beyond the big names that are so familiar (Franklin, Jefferson, Revere) and talks about how the English policy of taxation without representation affected average colonists and what those colonists did to let their feelings be known. 'Liberty' is not about the the revolutionary war, although initial battles are discussed. Freedman's focus here is on the creation of the Declaration itself, what it meant for Americans then, and what price they were willing to pay for that freedom. Definitely the title to pick up to read to make you wave the red, white and blue harder and higher! This is another title in the "We the People: Created Equal' bookshelf so watch for more about the book when we get back to school in the fall.

I Could Do That!

Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote

By Linda Arms White

Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Hilary Clinton is running for our president this year thanks in part to the hard work of many women who came before her. Women who made sure all women had a chance to vote, run for public office, and even run for president. Esther Morris was one of those women.

'No' and 'I can't do it!' were not words in Esther's vocabulary. No matter what challenge faced her, Esther said 'I could do that!' and did. She helped care for brothers and sisters when her mother died and opened her own hat shop. Shortly after marrying and having a son, her husband died. That didn't stop Esther from moving to Illinois to try to claim land in her own name. When that failed, she opened another hat shop, remarried, had two more sons, and eventually moved to Wyoming territory. There, Esther finally decided that if men could vote, so could she.

Esther organized a tea party to persuade local legislators to give women the vote. When the state legislature took up the issue, Esther campaigned for it and eventually watched with pride when the governor signed a bill into law allowing women to vote.

As you'll see when you read 'I Could Do That!', Esther is a great role model as one who wouldn't let what others thought stop her. She's someone to thank today as women head off to the polls to vote!

Helen's Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's Teacher

by Marfe Ferguson Delano

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Into a world of silence and darkness, one ray of hope shone. But this ray couldn't be seen or heard; it could only be felt. That ray of hope was Annie Sullivan. For deaf and blind six-year-old Helen Keller, Annie's hands became her salvation, forming letters into young Helen's hands to teach her about the world she couldn't see or hear. Helen's hands on Annie's lips and throat gave Helen a chance to hear sounds she couldn't. Teacher Annie Sullivan gave Helen Keller a chance at a life as normal as could be offered to a deaf-blind person at the turn of the 20th century.

Annie Sullivan is the focus of 'Helen's Eyes' a photobiography full of fascinating pictures of Annie and Helen and their life together. Helen was six when she met Annie and had already been blind and deaf for four years. She was uncontrollable, a strong-willed girl who wouldn't obey but was curious about the world around her. With Annie, Helen met someone just as strong-willed as she, who wasn't about to admit defeat in the face of a child.

Annie herself had had a difficult childhood. Orphaned and abandoned to an asylum not known for it's comforts, Annie lost her eyesight while young until an operation restored it enough so that she could learn to read and write at 14. Graduating from the Perkins School for the Blind, Annie was offered the post of teacher to Helen. Determined to succeed with the little girl, Annie taught Helen the manual alphabet, unlocking the world and creating a relationship that would last until Annie Sullivan died with Helen holding her hand.

Annie's story is fascinating. Her dedication to Helen was life-long, a commitment that many questioned but most marvel at today. If you're looking for inspiration, check out 'Helen's Eyes'. I think you'll find Annie Sullivan to be a person to respect, admire, and yes, even look at as a role model.

Fever 1793

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Most enjoyed by 5th through 8th graders

Mattie is fourteen years old and convinced she is made for a life of business. Helping her mother run the family coffeehouse has given her a good eye for what sells and how to please a customer. Now if she could only get herself out of bed on time. Up early one day, she learns the startling news that her best friend Polly has died suddenly of some kind of fever. And Polly isn't the only one dead. More and more people each day are dying and word in the market place is to leave Philadelphia if you want to live. Mattie's mother wants her to leave, to head for the country to a friend's farm. But Mattie, backed by her grandfather, wants no part of it, until Mattie's mother falls victim to the fever. Mattie flees the city with her grandfather only to be dumped at the side of the road when the old man gets sick. Mattie grows up quickly as she tries to survive and get back home where nothing is the same. Will life ever get back to normal?

'Fever 1793' is a fictional account of the yellow fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia in 1793. It wasn't the only time fever struck the city, but one in which thousands died. The book is fast-paced and gripping, leaving you wondering as you turn each page if Mattie will survive. Would you, could you, scrape and scrabble like Mattie did, simply to live?

A good companion book that gives you more information about the yellow fever epidemic in 'An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793' by Jim Murphy. This non-fiction title adds facts and details about the epidemic that flesh out the story in 'Fever 1793'. It also tells how Philadelphia changed after the epidemic. Read all or part of 'An American Plague' to learn more about this fascinating event in history.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

By Kadir Nelson

Most enjoyed by baseball lovers in 5th through 8th grade

Spring training has started, Cubs and White Sox tickets go on sale in a few days, and the temperatures are in the single digits. What better time to talk about baseball! 'We are the Ship' is a book that celebrates the joy of baseball while at the same time providing a lesson in the history of race relations in our country.

For years, black and white baseball players could not play together on the same team. It wasn't a written rule; just one accepted and understood by white owners of professional baseball teams. Since they were not allowed to play professional baseball, African Americans formed their own teams. Most of these teams weren't very successful until Rube Foster came along and organized the Negro Baseball League. Rube knew that if blacks were one day to break into professional baseball, they needed to be as good as white baseball players. An African American league would give the players a chance to prove their ability.

Today, it's hard to look back on that time and imagine passing up the opportunity to see some of baseball's legends play just because of their skin color. The Negro League was home to the likes to Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Cool Papa Bell. It was the starting place for Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. These players faced incredible hardships yet it never squashed their love of baseball. Teams traveled from town to town on buses, often going miles out of their way on backroads to avoid going through towns where blacks were not welcome. When white teams could stop at a restaurant to get someting to eat, African American teams had to pass up those same places because they were not welcome. Imagine playing a double header with only two hot dogs and a soda in your belly because that's all you could get. Wouldn't think of it today, would we?

Kadir Nelson has written a fascinating history of Negro League baseball. Easy to read, it makes you wish you could go back in time to see many of the players mentioned play. I loved reading about some of the players, especially their knicknames - 'Turkey" Stearns, "Biz" Mackey, and "Mules" Suttles. The artwork in the book is truly amazing. I suppose since it's a baseball book, it's not quite right to call the pcitures beautiful but that's just what they are. The paintings of the various players makes you want to reach out and touch them. Check out the picture of Rube Foster and his American Giants arriving in town by train. You'll wish you could step into the picture and get an autograph or two.

'We are the Ship' has my vote for a 2009 Caldecott Medal. Check it out and see if you don't agree.