Synergy: Knots

Knots are a fastening made by tying a piece of rope or string. Interlacing, twining, looping, and other techniques are used for typing knots. Knots are used in tying shoes, hunting, camping, boating, and arts and crafts projects.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

KNOTS FOR KIDS by Buck Tilton introduces young readers to step-by-step instructions for tying a wide range of useful knots. High-quality photographs and illustrations using a variety of rope and string make it easy to reproduce each knot. ARC courtesy of Falcon Guides.

ANIMATED KNOTS provides easy-to-use instructions and high quality photos to teach users how to make dozens of knots.

To visit the website, go to https://www.animatedknots.com/.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Writers and Writing

Several recently published and upcoming titles explore writing and writers. From unconventional writing rules to new ways of presenting content, explore approaches to writing, spaces for creation, and techniques to jumpstart writing.

Robert’s Rules of Writing, Second Edition: 111 Unconventional Lessons that Every Writer Needs to Know

Robert Masello, 2021, Allworth, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Themes: Language Arts, Communication, Writing

Exploring problems and issues faced by writers across genres, the author challenges traditional approaches and provides over 100 useful and often humorous ideas.

Take-aways: Students will enjoy many of Masello’s practical writing suggestions. Weave them into classroom presentations or post “the rules” on a bulletin board.

The New Academic: A Researcher’s Guide to Writing and Presenting Content in a Modern World

Simon Clews, 2023, Sourcebooks

Themes: Language Arts, Communications, Writing

Although designed for academics, this book explores practical ways to think about sharing information for anyone interested in writing, speaking, profiling, and communicating. The hands-on approach provides useful examples and publishing ideas.

Take-aways: Use this book to make real-world writing assignments and encourage students to think about audiences that go beyond the classroom. Consider about ways to collaborate across the curriculum for authentic writing projects.

Write Away! Poetry: Guided Poetry Journal with 75+ Writing Prompts

Editors, 2023, Chartwell Books

Themes: Language Arts, Writing, Journaling

With over 75 writing prompts, this guided-journal provides ideas for playing with memory, words, senses, and form. Although designed for poetry writing, the ideas can be adapted for other types of writing experiences.

Take-aways: Weave the writing prompts in the classroom as part of springboard or reflection activities.

Writer’s Retreat: Literary Cabins, Creative Hideaways, and Favorite Writing Spaces of Iconic Authors

Neil Burkey, 2021, Imagine, an imprint of Charlesbridge Publishing

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Exploring the writing spaces of over 50 authors, this fascinating quick-read provides unique insights into the writers, their works, and the places they create.

Take-aways: Personalize your examination of the authors already found in the curriculum by adding insights about the locations where they wrote.

Rooms of their Own: Where Great Writers Write

Alex Johnson, 2022, Frances Lincoln, an imprint of Quarto Group

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Readers explore the spaces, habits, and rituals of 50 famous writers. Going beyond the locations themselves, the book examines how specific spaces impact the writing process.

Take-aways: Use the examples in this book to talk with students about the connection between authors and place. Also, connect to personal habits and writing rituals.

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Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

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Synergy: Experiments

 

Experiments are procedures designed to support or refute a hypothesis. They demonstrate what outcome occurs when a particular variable is manipulated. To children, hands-on, scientific experiments can seem like magic.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

THE SCIENCE SPELL BOOK: MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS by Cara Florance provides a fun way for children to learn about physics, biology, and chemistry through common household items. From using electricity to draw pictures to creating a fluorescent feast, readers explore the science behind magical experiments. Chapter titles such as illumination, sorcery, and alchemy enhance the magic theme, while the individual experiments keeping the focus on real-world science concepts. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

YOUTUBE features video channels that connect the science with the fun of magic tricks. For instance, 5-MINUTE MAGIC provides short videos on a wide range of topics. The playlists includes topics such as science experiments, magic tricks, and top experiments.

To watch videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/5MINUTEMAGIC.

Synergy: World War I

World War I (1914-1918) was one of the most deadly global conflicts in human history. In addition to the estimated 9 million people killed in combat, another 5 million civilians died as a result of the conflict. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book for young adults, then learn more at the websites:

WORLD WAR I: THE GREAT WAR TO END ALL WARS by Julie Knutson is part of the Inquire & Investigate series. This interdisciplinary text explores the events that led to the war along with key battles. Using photographs, graphic novel-style illustrations, and primary source documents, readers learn about both the home-front and global aspects of the war. Useful fact boxes, sidebars, and questions are likely to engage reluctant learners. ARC courtesy of Nomad Press.

1914-1918 ONLINE is an international encyclopedia focusing on the First World War. Readers can explore the website through a timeline, themes, regions, or article topics.

To visit the website, go to https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/.

Synergy: Anglerfish

Anglerfish are bony fish known for their bioluminescence that is used to lure prey. Found worldwide, anglerfish dwell on the sea floor, close to the sea floor or in the deep sea.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book, then learn more at the websites:

ANGLERFISH: THE SEADEVIL OF THE DEEP by Elaine M. Alexander and illustrated by Fiona Fogg dives 13,000 feet under the ocean to explore a primordial fish known for its teeth and bioluminescence. This informational picture book follows the life cycle of the anglerfish and concludes with additional information about its life and related fish. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISH from Monterey Bay Aquarium provides an overview of the fish along with photographs, video, conservation information, and cool facts. To read the page, go to https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/deep-sea-anglerfish.

Science Magazine from YouTube provides the first footage of deep-sea anglerfish pair. To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/anDIlMVgNwk.

Synergy: Baby Animals

Baby animals are the offspring of living creatures. While some animal offspring are independent at birth, others are cared for by a parent, parents, or family. Animal offspring may look like their parents, but they are not identical. 

Read three recently published book for children, then learn more at the website:

LITTLE KIDS FIRST BIG BOOK OF BABY ANIMALS by Maya Myers features a wide range of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, octopus, and insect babies. Five chapters explore grassland, water, mountain/desert, forest, and polar babies through colorful photographs and factual information. The book concludes with a map, parent tips, a glossary, and more. ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

FIND OUT ABOUT ANIMAL BABIES by Martin Jenkins explores a wide range of animal babies and how they grow. The author provides a general statement about animal babies, then examines one animal family in more detail. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

DO BABY ELEPHANTS SUCH THEIR TRUNKS? by Ben Lerwill uses engaging questions to jump-start explorations of animal babies. Inquiries are addressed through examining a specific animal baby. ARC courtesy of Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press.

Nat Geo WILD provides fascinating videos about baby animals. ANIMAL MOMS contains four videos about moms and their babies. BARNYARD BABIES is a playlist containing nearly a dozen short videos about farm babies.

To visit Nat Geo WILD, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/NatGeoWild.

To visit the animal moms playlist, go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNxd9fYeqXebzavboPT2uRRWfLYo_TL_v

To visit the barnyard babies playlist, go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNxd9fYeqXeZCRoHh-dVrlLaNOKhEoJyA

Synergy: Plant Classification

Plant classification is the science of naming organisms and organizing them into a hierarchical structure. Each level has a name, class, order, family, genus, and species. There are four main categories. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the websites:

GROW written by Riz Reyes and illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows is a family guide to plants and how to grow them. Readers explore fifteen different types of plants and their plant families. For instance, children learn about pumpkins as part of the larger gourd family. Effectively combining science, history, and hands-on activities, this appealing picture book will be of interesting to parents and teachers as well as young readers. The book concludes with a glossary and information about plant classification. ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

PLANT SCIENCE from Growing with Science provide examples of common plant families from the Carrot Family to the Maple Tree Family.

To visit Plant Families I, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-i-the-food-crops/

Go to Plant Families II, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-ii-trees/

PLANT CLASSIFICATION FOR KIDS is a YouTube video from Brainy Garden that describes the organization of living things including the Kingdom Plantae.

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/LeSeUM5k10M.

THE PLANT KINGDOM is a YouTube video from Happy Learning English that shares four groups of plants. 

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/IYxfz1PSfZ0.

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Time Take-aways for Life-Long Learners: Geography Connections

Time Take-aways for Life-Long Learners: Geography Connections

From forgotten and imagined places to powerful political relationships, connect geography with topics across the curriculum through these recently published books.

The Atlas of Atlases
Philip Parker, 2022, Ivy Press, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: History, Historical geography, Atlas

Exploring key atlases through history, readers will enjoy spectacular illustrations, fascinating cartographers, and engaging stories about the explorers and leaders who used these important documents.

Take-aways: Use historical atlases to jumpstart discussions of the essential role of maps in history.

The Devil’s Atlas: An Explorer’s Guide to Heavens, Hells, & Afterworlds
Edward Brooke-Hitching, 2022, Chronicle Books
Themes: History, Historical geography, Atlas

Reflecting cultures and religions from around the globe, stunning illustrations and fascinating stories engage readers in imagined places throughout history.

Take-aways: Educators will find this book useful in building interdisciplinary connections among geography, history, and mythology.

Geography is Destiny: Britain and the World
Ian Morris, 2022, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan
Themes: History, Britain, Europe, Historical geography

Readers explore the 10,000 year relationship between the British Isles and the European continent along with the entire globe.

Take-aways: Use Britain as an example of the connection among geography, politics, economics, and history.

Atlas of Forgotten Places
Travis Elborough, 2021, White Lion Publishing, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: Geography, Travel

Part of the Unexpected Atlas series, this new title uses engaging color photos, maps, and stories to explore 40 mysterious sites around the world.

Take-aways: Use these fascinating places to discuss why some places seem to disappear.

The Power of Geography
Tim Marshall, 2021, Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: Political Science, Geography, Geopolitics

Part of the Politics of Place series exploring compelling geopolitics connections, this title uses ten maps to share the challenges facing key regions of the world today and tomorrow. 

Take-aways: Use Marshall’s approach to regions of the world in a discussion of the connection between political science and geography.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Nature Crafts

Nature Crafts are activities that combine natural materials with interesting projects. For example, children might use twigs and string to build their own toy raft or paint rocks to create animal figures. While not all the materials may come from outdoors, nature crafts primarily focus on activities that involve observing nature, gathering natural materials, and creating crafts that reflect the joy of nature.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

MY BIG BOOK OF OUTDOORS written by Tim Hopgood encourages readers to explore nature through the four seasons. From building a bug hotel to creating a leaf mobile and making paper snowflakes, the book combines factual information with fun and easy craft projects. The simply, colorful illustrations with engaging blocks of text will attract young readers. 

FIREFLIES & MUDPIES is a website encouraging children to create crafts. Their Nature Crafts section includes a wide range of hands-on activities using natural materials. Most of the activities involve easy to gather materials.

To visit the website, go to https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/

To learn more about outdoor arts and crafts, go to https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/category/kids-crafts/nature-crafts/

ARC courtesy of Candlewick.

Synergy: Observing Nature

Observing nature is the act of going outdoors and exploring the natural world. By using our senses and paying attention to details and patterns, observers are able to gather a wide range of information.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

THE SECRET SIGNS OF NATURE written by Craig Caudill and illustrated by Carrie Shryock explores hidden clues that help children understand the sky, water, plants, animals, and weather. Readers follow two young navigators as they explore forests, oceans, and meadows. Children learn observation skills while exploring nature and developing life and science skills. Each engaging, two-page spread explores a different location and element of nature observation. 

OBSERVING NATURE from PBS KIDS for Parents provides ideas for getting children outdoors playing in nature. The website includes nature crafts and activities along with activities and games for families.

To visit the website, go to https://www.pbs.org/parents/observing-nature .

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Synergy: Food

Food is any substance used by living things as a means of nutrition. People, plants, and animals all need food to survive and grow. People around the globe eat a wide range of food often based on their local agriculture and traditions.  

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

ULTIMATE FOOD ATLAS is a delicious way to learn about food and the world through maps, games, recipes, and more. The book is organized into chapters based on continents with subsections focusing on particular types of foods. The book concludes with information about the oceans, global nutrition, and other useful information. Maps, photographs, and visually-rich pages encourage readers to connect specific locations with the fascinating foods available.

TASTE ATLAS is an interactive map providing access to local ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants around the world. Users can search for a particular location or food. Or, use the map to explore areas of the world.

To learn more, go to https://www.tasteatlas.com/.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Garden

A garden is s small plot of land used to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, or other plants. This planned space is set aside specifically for the cultivation and enjoyment of plants.

Read the recently published poetry book for children, then learn more at the websites:

BEHOLD OUR MAGICAL GARDEN: POEMS FRESH FROM A SCHOOL GARDEN written by Allan Wolf and illustrated by Daniel Duncan is a beautifully illustrated picture book sharing over two dozen poems exploring the joys of gardening. From composting to gardening tools, young gardeners will be inspired by the wide range of nature-oriented poems. The book concludes with useful notes about each poem.

SCHOOL GARDEN CENTER is a website from Utah Agriculture in the Classroom that offers ideas and resources for school gardens.

Go to https://utah.agclassroom.org/garden/

KIDS GARDENING is a website exploring ways that children can play, learn, and grow through gardens. The site provides lesson plans, activities, grant resources for educators.

Go to https://kidsgardening.org/

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Timely-take aways for life-long learners: Revolutionary Period Perspectives

Timely-take aways for life-long learners: Revolutionary Period Perspectives

Whether exploring individuals, groups, or events, several new works of nonfiction share different perspectives and innovative thinking about the Revolutionary War period.

Liberty is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution
Woody Holton, 2021, Simon & Schuster
Themes: History, United States history, Revolutionary period
LIBERTY IS SWEET examines the essential, yet lesser-known roles of women, enslaved African Americans, Native Americans, and others in the fight for liberty.
Take-aways: Many educators are rebuilding their history curriculum with an emphasis on the roles of marginalized Americans. Use Holton’s many examples to revisit this period.

The Last King of America
Andrew Roberts, 2021, Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Themes: History, Biography, Revolutionary period
THE LAST KING OF AMERICA is a well-researched biography providing depth and detail to our understanding of George III, his monarchy, and the American Revolution.
Take-aways: Update the curriculum by shifting the traditional caricature of King George III to a multiple-dimensional leader facing both political and personal challenges.

Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution
H.W. Brands, 2021, Anchor, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Themes: History, United States history, Revolutionary period
OUR FIRST CIVIL WAR describes the challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities forced to choose sides in a violent revolution.
Take-aways: Use Brand’s approach to rethink how the various sides of the conflict are presented to students. Encourage discussions about family and friendship in war.

Winning Independence: The Decisive Years of the Revolutionary War, 1778-1781

John Ferling, 2021, Bloomsbury Publishing, an imprint of Macmillan
Themes: History, United States history, Revolutionary period
WINNING INDEPENDENCE explores Britain’s mid-war pivot, France’s involvement, and other key events that culminated in the American independence.
Take-aways: The curriculum often fast-forwards through the second half of the war. Use Ferling’s book to add depth and detail to this period.

The Howe Dynasty: The Untold Story of a Military Family and the Women Behind Britain’s Wars for America
Julie Flavell, 2021, Liveright, an imprint of W. W. Norton
Themes: History, European history, Great Britain, Georgian era
THE HOWE DYNASTY uses engaging nonfiction narrative to re-examine the roles of both the men and women of this influential, 18th century British family.
Take-aways: Expand the curriculum to include more detail about the British perspective leading up to the Revolutionary period through the eyes of a British family.

Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War
Don Troiani, 2021, Stackpole Books/National Book Network
Themes: History, United States history, Revolutionary period
LIBERTY examines the works of Don Troiani at the Museum of the American Revolution. Known for both artistry and accuracy, these paintings reflect pivotal events in the Revolutionary Period.
Take-aways: Use Troiani’s works and artifacts to jumpstart lessons focusing on specific people, places, and events central to the period.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Jokes

Jokes are humorous stories with a funny conclusion known as a punchline. Riddles and one-liners are very short jokes. Jokes are not intended to be taken seriously. 

Read the recently published children’s nonfiction book, then learn more at the websites:

JUST JOKING SERIES from National Geographic Kids includes dozens of titles. JUST JOKING SCIENCE is filled with 300 STEM-focused jokes, riddles, knock-knocks, tongue twisters, and more. In addition, readers learn about ten wacky, but real scientific experiments.

JUST JOKING-LOL is a YouTube video playlist containing dozens of short videos with animal jokes and funny riddles from National Geographic Kids.

Go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQlnTldJs0ZSwXZodadqpS_vv0NXXB-GC

SCIENCE FUN FOR EVERYONE features science jokes submitted by children. Encourage students to write their own STEM jokes.

Go to https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/jokes/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Lighthouse

Lighthouses emit lights to serve as a navigational aid for maritime pilots. These beacons may be housed in a tower, building or other structure. Lighthouses identify hazards such as dangerous reefs, rocks, and coastlines. They may also be used as a guide to safe harbors.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for children, then learn more at the websites:

KEEPER OF THE LIGHT: JULIET FISH NICHOLS FIGHTS THE SAN FRANCISCO FOG by Caroline Arnold is a fascinating biography exploring the experiences of a light keeper in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and other challenges. Inspired by light keeper logs, the engaging story brings history alive for young readers.

JULIET FISH NICHOLS is a short article in Lighthouse Digest with useful information and photographs.

Go to http://www.lighthousedigest.net/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=2185

THE LIGHTHOUSE DIRECTORY identifies thousands of lighthouses around the world. 

Go to http://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/

The PHAROLOGY website explores the history of lighthouses, how they work, and locations around the world.

Go to http://www.pharology.eu/ 

LOGBOOKS OF THE US LIGHTHOUSES, 1872-1940 from the National Archives is a fun way to introduce students to logbooks as primary sources.

Go to https://www.archives.gov/research/military/logbooks/lighthouses.html

ARC courtesy of Harry N. Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Synergy: Conifers

Conifers are plants that bear cones such as pine trees. Spruce, cypress, and redwood trees are other examples. While most are evergreen, some lose their needles and their color may vary from yellow and gold to blue and red along with standard green.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for children, then learn more at the websites:

LISTEN TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE TREES by Tera Kelley shares the story of how forests communicate underground. The story uses a Douglas-fir seedling to describe the interrelationship of the plants and animals in the forest. Of particularly note is the focus on the growth underground. The book concludes with useful science information and ideas.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE from the USGS describes the science of conifer trees through interesting text and photographs.

Go to https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/oh-christmas-tree-science-conifer-trees

THE GYMNOSPERM DATABASE is a website focusing on conifers and their allies. The tree in the story is the Douglas-fir. This website provides useful scientific information including photographs.

Go to https://www.conifers.org/

For the Douglas-fir found in the book, go to https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pseudotsuga_menziesii_menziesii.php

ARC courtesy of Dawn Publications, an imprint of Sourcebooks eXplore.

Synergy: Photojournalist

A PHOTOJOURNALIST is a person who uses images to share current events. Their ethical approach to news gathering demands an honest, impartial approach to communicating a story through visuals. Their work often requires that they overcome physical and emotional challenges such as war and severe weather.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for young adults, then learn more at the websites:

CLOSE-UP ON WAR: THE STORY OF PIONEERING PHOTOJOURNALIST CATHERINE LEROY IN VIETNAM by Mary Cronk Farrell shares the experiences of a female journalist during the Vietnam war. Using a scrapbook approach, the engaging narrative weaves in photographs, letters, and other primary resources. This well-researched, action-packed biography provides insights into the impact of the war on both the soldiers and the Vietnamese people. The end-matter is filled with useful additional materials.

UP HILL 881 WITH THE MARINES is a 1967 Life Magazine article featuring photos by Catherine Leroy.

Go to https://books.google.com/books?id=TVYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40

CATHERINE LEROY is a website featuring a short biography and photographs.

Go to https://dotationcatherineleroy.org/en/ 

PHOTOJOURNALISM from the Tate Museum defines the topic and provides examples.

Go to https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/photojournalism

ARC courtesy of Amulet/Abrams.

Synergy: Weather

WEATHER describes the atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place such as sunshine, precipitation, wind, and temperature.

Read the recently published nonfiction science book for children, then learn more at the websites:

Part of the Lab for Kids series, PROFESSOR FIGGY’S WEATHER AND CLIMATE SCIENCE LAB FOR KIDS by Jim Noonan contains 52 family friendly activities exploring meteorology, earth systems, and climate change. Each of the six chapters explores a different topic including atmosphere, sun, rain, wind, severe weather, snow, and climate. Labs include easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with useful photographs and other illustrations.

CLIMATE KIDS from NASA answers big questions about earth science topics including weather and climate, atmosphere, water, energy, plants and animals. This site contains games, activities, people, videos and climate bingo.

Go to https://climatekids.nasa.gov/

ARC courtesy of Quarry Books from Quarto Group.

Synergy: Prudence Cummings Wright

PRUDENCE CUMMINGS WRIGHT (1740-1824) organized and lead a women’s militia in Pepperell, Massachusetts during the American Revolution.

Read the recently published picture book, then learn more at the websites:

REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT: LEADING THE MINUTE WOMEN IN THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE written by Beth Anderson and illustrated by Susan Reagan tells the inspiring story of Prudence Wright and the “minute women” of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Organizing and leading a group of resourceful women, she rallies support against British policies and defends her town against Tory invaders.

PRUDENCE WRIGHT from the American Battlefield Trust provides a short biography.

Go to https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/prudence-wright

PRUDENCE WRIGHT AND THE WOMEN WHO GUARDED THE BRIDGE is a book written by Mary Shattuck in 1912 providing details about Wright and her minute women. It contains interesting references to primary source materials.

Go to http://www.pepperellhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PrudenceWright.pdf

COVERED BRIDGE OVER THE NASHUA RIVER is an article at the Pepperell MA townsite describing the history of the bridge in the story. 

Go to https://town.pepperell.ma.us/160/Covered-Bridge-Over-the-Nashua-River

BETH ANDERSON’s website contains resources for teachers interested in using the book in the curriculum.

Go to https://bethandersonwriter.com/revolutionary-prudence-wright-leading-the-minute-women-in-the-fight-for-independence/

ARC courtesy of Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Botany

Botany is the branch of biology that explores the science of plant life including fungi and algae. This multidisciplinary area includes structure, growth, reproduction, taxonomy and more.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for children, then learn more at the websites:

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PLANTS, FUNGI, AND LICHENS FOR YOUR READERS by Tereza Nemcova and Tomas Pernicky is part of the Encyclopedias for Young Readers series. Each two-page spread focuses on a different category of plant, fungi, or lichen. The simple illustrations and short text descriptions introduce the concept and several examples found around the world. Of particular note are the fungi and lichen often overlooked in science books for children.

USDA’s PLANTS database contains information about vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens from the U.S. and its territories.

PLANTS Database

https://plants.usda.gov/ 

The US Forest Service provides useful resources on fungi and natives plants found in the United States.

Lichens from the U.S. Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/

The Mighty Fungi from the U.S. Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/fungi.shtml

Native Plants from the US Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/Native_Plant_Materials/index.shtml

ARC courtesy of Albatros Media.