Second Quarter Reading Recommendations

Second Quarter Reading Recommendations

To receive "on-the-top" extra credit for having read any of the following books, you must complete a book report (see link below for specific guidelines and requirements) and turn it in NO LATER THAN - JANUARY 11, 2008.

Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, A

Author(s): Blos, Joan W. Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8

Publisher: Scribner Publication Date: 1979

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s):

Culture(s): Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s): Newbery Winner

Series:

Annotation: A young girl's journal pulls the reader into life in New Hampshire in 1830. Many precepts are woven into this story, illustrating both the sparseness and richness of life in the past compared with life today.

Voices of the Alamo

Author(s): Garland, Sherry Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Scholastic Publication Date: 2000

Illustrator: Ronald Himler Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Poetry Classification(s):

Culture(s): Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: Varied voices from the past and present recount the history of Texas territory and the Alamo. The text format gives the book a poetic quality as do the watercolor paintings by Ronald Himler.

Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers

Author(s): McKissack, Patricia C.; McKissack, Fredrick Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Scholastic Publication Date: 1999

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s):

Culture(s): Black/African American Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s): Coretta Scott King Author Honor

Series:

Annotation: Whaling was a dangerous job during colonial and pre-Civil War times. Runaway slaves were eager to enlist despite the challenges. Among the brave black sailors and other pivotal African American figures in the whaling industry and in the abolitionist movement were Paul Cuffe, Lewis Temple, and Frederick Douglass.

Lyddie

Author(s): Paterson, Katherine Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Penguin Books Publication Date: 1991

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s):

Culture(s): Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: Lyddie, a young farm girl, goes to work in the 1840s in a textile factory while trying to reunite her impoverished family. The story introduces the harsh conditions of child labor and is useful for studies of child labor in the past or present. Similar works are Russell Freedman's KIDS AT WORK, Jane Springer's LISTEN TO US, and David L. Parker's STOLEN DREAMS. Students eager to know what Lyddie's future holds should read JIP'S STORY.

Nightjohn

Author(s): Paulsen, Gary Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Publication Date: 1993

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Short Story Classification(s): Read Aloud

Culture(s): Black/African American Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: Nightjohn, an enslaved African American, risks severe punishments by teaching a young slave girl to read. This short novel is an excellent book to read aloud, provides an introduction to slavery, and depicts human rights violations. The book has a sequel titled SARNY.

Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons

Author(s): Rinaldi, Ann Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Publication Date: 1996

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Poetry Classification(s):

Culture(s): Black/African American Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: The life and times of Phillis Wheatley, the first African American poetess, are told in this compelling novel of a young woman's struggle to survive on the slave ships and to better herself as a slave in the home of an established Boston family.

Mine Eyes Have Seen

Author(s): Rinaldi, Ann Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Scholastic Publication Date: 1998

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s):

Culture(s): Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: As the antislavery crusader John Brown gathers men and arms at a small farm near Harper's Ferry, seventeen-year-old Annie Brown must decide if her father is a visionary or a madman. An author's note about the historical account of the Harper's Ferry incident is included.

Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth

Author(s): Rockwell, Anne Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8

Publisher: Random House Publication Date: 2000

Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s): Picture Book

Culture(s): Black/African American Language(s): English

Curriculum: English-Language Arts/Literary Elements, History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts

Award(s): Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor

Series:

Annotation: This is an inspiring story of how an African American woman, born a slave with no status or dignity, transformed herself into one of the most powerful voices of the abolitionist movement. Compelling full-page paintings use intense colors in some cases and at other times use subdued earth tones.

Girl of the Shining Mountains: Sacagawea's Story

Author(s): Roop, Peter; Roop, Connie Grade Level(s): 6-8

Publisher: Hyperion Press Publication Date: 1999

Illustrator: Translator:

Genre(s): Historical Fiction Classification(s):

Culture(s): Native American Language(s): English

Curriculum: History/Social Science

Award(s):

Series:

Annotation: Sacagawea's role as a guide in the Lewis and Clark expedition has often been mentioned in history books. This story relates her personal reasons for wanting to make the journey: her desire to find her family and friends, the people from whom she was taken. Through her voice, the journey of discovery is described and retold.

These books were listed in the PTA & State of California recommended reading lists.