Educational: History

Book SynopsisImagine a U.S. president on a camping trip! It seems unlikely today, but in May 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt dismissed his Secret Service men to go camping with John Muir, the world-famous naturalist.For three glorious nights and four days in California's Yosemite National Park, the two men talked about birds, giant sequoia trees, glaciers, as well as the importance of preserving wilderness for future generations. They slept under the stars, built blazing campfires, and enjoyed the beauty and the uniqueness of the area. Setting aside new national parks and monuments became one of the cornerstones of Roosevelt's presidency and was a direct result of this camping trip.Author Ginger Wadsworth and illustrator Karen Dugan carefully researched this true story, relying on primary documents and working closely with experts in the field.Trade ReviewCalifornia Reading Association Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Silver Honor Book"Wadsworth's research is sound, her writing spritely and her information interesting."—Kirkus Reviews"An informative and enjoyable introduction to two of America's early environmental champions and to the early history of our national parks."—Booklist"A beautifully told story. . . . This glimpse back in time gives valuable insight to a president that made the environment and preserving our natural resources a priority."—Library Media Connection

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Book SynopsisIn the nineteen fifties and early sixties, Birmingham, Alabama, became known as Bombingham. At the center of this violent time in the fight for civil rights, and standing at opposite ends, were Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene "Bull" Connor. From his pulpit, Shuttlesworth agitated for racial equality, while Commissioner Connor fought for the status quo. Relying on court documents, police and FBI reports, newspapers, interviews, and photographs, author Larry Dane Brimner first covers each man's life and then brings them together to show how their confrontation brought about significant change to the southern city. The author worked closely with Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute as well as with Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and his wife to bring together this Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, ALA Notable Children's book, and Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of the Year.Trade Review★ "For readers new to the subject, the biographies will be a vivid, informative introduction, but even those who have some familiarity with the landmark events will learn much more here. . . . A penetrating look at elemental national history." -- Booklist, starred review★ "A clean, graphically interesting design abets a well-researched, engaging narrative that contributes a more nuanced view of the period than is often seen. (author's note, further reading, source notes, index)" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Can stand alongside Russell Freedman's Freedom Walkers (Holiday House, 2006) and Brimner's own Birmingham Sunday (Calkins Creek, 2010) as fine examples of both civil-rights history and photo-biographies." -- School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisOld Bob was old Abe's horse and he was loyal and the manes of both horse and master blew haphazardly this way and that as their way across the prairies long before Old Abe became the most important President America ever had. Old Bob took his master over barely passable trails, across almost unfordable rivers, through endless reaches of tall grass and heavy rain which obscured any view, as Abraham Lincoln rode the circuit of his law practice often for months at a time. Their temperaments matched strong, calm, dependable and intelligent. Old bob was there when they voted Old Abe into the presidency of the United States of America. Old Abe was there in the parade to celebrate the Union victory covered in that special red white and blue blanket covered in tiny Union flags. Tragically he was there too as the nation mourned their assassinated President walking in a place of honor behind the hearse as Abraham Lincoln was borne through the streets of Springfield to the beat of muffled drums to be buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. Old Bob and Old Abe is a story of companionship and honor, of a man who loved animals and men, and treated both with respect and dignity in a time in American History when Freedom was won.

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Book SynopsisOn August 28, 1963, a remarkable event took place--more than 250,000 people gathered in our nation''s capital to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march began at the Washington Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating racial harmony. Many words have been written about that day, but few so delicate and powerful as those presented here by award-winning author and illustrator Shane W. Evans. When combined with his simple yet compelling illustrations, the thrill of the day is brought to life for even the youngest reader to experience.We March is one of Kirkus Reviews'' Best Children''s Books of 2012

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Book SynopsisBring history alive as students explore the fascinating past by making the projects in History Pockets-Ancient Rome. Students store the projects in easy-to-make construction paper pockets that are wonderful portfolios for assessment and display.

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Book SynopsisIn this colorful volume, illustrated by elementary school students from the Chicagoland area, veteran All-Star pitcher for the Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood shares the valuable principles he’s learned throughout life. The importance of education, working hard to attain goals, building character, maintaining integrity, and accepting responsibility are just some of the life lessons he shares. Aimed at any young dreamer looking to develop a successful personality—whether they want to be president of the United States, the best teacher in their school, or even a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs—Wood provides advice for every youthful go-getter. Sharing his own highs and lows, both on and off the baseball field, he also stresses the importance of family and friends, the positive power of laughter, and doing the right thing.

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Book Synopsis1001 Amazing Facts

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Book SynopsisThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with seven Arab nations: Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait to the north, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to the east, and Yemen and Oman to the south. Much of the country has a desert climate, averaging less than a few inches of percipitation per year, and temperatures often reach well above 100[degrees]F. Despite its parched landscape, Saudi Arabia is a key provider of one of the world's most important commodities.Just four years after Ibn Saud unified Saudi Arabia in 1932, the country's first productive oil well was established. Since that time, Saudi Arabia has become the world's leading petroleum producer and exporter. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been thrust into the limelight by allowing Western and Arab nations to use the country to deploy their forces during the First Gulf War in 1991 and by being a place where the Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda established a base for its operations.

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Book SynopsisDuring the 19th century, hardy pioneers used the Oregon Trail to migrate to the Pacific Northwest. The five- to six-month journey spanned 2,170 miles west through territories that became the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. However, the journey west was not necessarily a smooth one. According to some statistics, about one-tenth of the emigrants perished along the way. After the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, traffic along the Oregon Trail declined. Yet, the trail was used until modern highways were constructed parallel to large portions of the trail during the 1890s. ""The Oregon Trail"" focuses on the period of 1840-1859, when approximately 52,000 pioneers moved to Oregon, and nearly five times that opted to move to California or Utah.

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Book SynopsisMadam C.J. Walker, the first woman - black or white - to become a self-made millionaire, started out as a laundress with few prospects. Originally named Sarah Breedlove, she was the first in her formerly enslaved family to be born free. Poor for most of her life, Walker invented a line of hair-care products when she was 37 years old. Eleven years later, she owned and operated her own thriving business, the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. She trained thousands of consultants - almost all of them women - who purchased her products for resale to their customers throughout the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. Through her work, Walker created a legacy of pride and do-it-yourself spirit that still resonates today. Read about this remarkable woman and her legacy in ""Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur"".

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