I Am Freedom's Child

Title: I am Freedom's Child
Author/Illustrator: Bill Martin Jr./Symeon Shimin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 2nd - 3rd
                                                   
Summary:

In this book, it is illustrating and talking about freedom for all children. No matter the race, gender, and so on. This book has different races shouting about how they are all different, however, they are all free and they rejoice and come together because of it.

I would use this book in my class to talk about the history of slavery and the separation between different races their was to show how everyone can come together like they do in the book. I would use this in any level elementary because of how uplifting it is and empowering of other races, even though it is said through little words.

Arlington - The Story of our Nation's Cemetery

Title: Arlington - The Story of our Nation's Cemetery
Author/Illustrator: Chris Demarest
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 4th - 6th grade
                                                             
Summary:

This story is about the history of the nation's cemetery that is in Washington DC. It has more than 300,000 Americans who served in the United States Army. It is told through a third-person point of view and talks about how it started in the 1780s.  By the time the Civil War ended in 1865, 15,000 soldiers had been buried there. As the book progresses it talks about the process they have when they bury a soldier their now.

I would use this book after talking about the Civil War and about the burial service they do for the soldiers.

Betsy Ross

Title: Betsy Ross 
Author/Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 5th
                                                           


Summary:

The story takes the reader through Elizabeth Griscom, nicknamed Betsy by her family, life. From the time she could remember she was sewing the caps the Quaker girls in her church wore. When she was a teenager she begged her parents to let her work outside the home. They agreed and she went to work to sew for furniture. She met her husband, John Ross and they fell in love and married. During this time the 13 colonies is what made up North America at the time. Someone suggested that she make the flag, and General Washington showed her the sketch he had in mind and she made one that was different and they agreed it was better. This version is the same we have now but at the time 13 stars.

I would use this book in my classroom as a history lesson. This book would be good on having the students research different moments in history that made an impact and still is in effect today.

Journey to a New Land

Title: Journey to a New Land
Author/Illustrator: Kimberly Weinberger and Jony Meers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 5th
                                                        
Summary:

Elda Del Bino Willitts came to America with her family when she was seven years old in 1916 from Italy. The family arrived at Ellis Island just like the other immigrants at the time did. Before they could leave Italy, her father and older brother left for America to work and send back money for them to travel. After taking four years they finally got word that they could travel so the family packed up and headed to America. After arriving by ship they then had to take a 6-day train ride to get to San Fransico where her dad was at. After a few more years of struggling to make ends meet in America, her family was all together and in a new bigger home. While her father passed away a few years later she was still grateful for the opportunity to be in this country.

I would use this book in a 3rd through 5th-grade classroom when talking about the history of Ellis Island and immigration. I think the book does a beautiful job of explaining immigration and what happened in the 1900s when people moved here.

Honest Abe

Title: Honest Abe
Author/Illustrator: Edith Kunhardt and Malcah Zeldis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 4th

                                                  
Summary:

Honest Abe is a story about Abraham Lincoln and his early years up until he was assassinated during his presidency. The story takes the reader from the time he was born and how his parents were not able to read or write, to him being a successful lawyer  He was nicknamed "honest Abe" because of how truthful he was. The story recalls the time he was paid back a little too much and he walked a few miles to find her to return the change. The book ends with him being buried and it talks about how he had 10 funerals. Abraham Lincoln was a great guy who was loved by many.

In my classroom, I would use this book for a social studies unit where we talk about different presidents and their life. With this book, I would have the students do a research project to find out different facts and then present it to the class.

I would use this book in a 3rd through a 4th-grade class. I think that age group would be perfect because they can value and understand history a bit more.