Synergy: Investigating History

HISTORY studies the past including all aspects of human society. Historians use oral accounts, written documents, artifacts, and other primary sources to tell the story of people, places, and events.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

MORE THAN A DREAM: THE RADICAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long is a compelling middle-grade history exploring the 1963 March on Washington. Featuring numerous photos from the time period, this engrossing work of nonfiction weaving in primary source materials to explore the broader impact of this event on racial justice and the civil rights movement. This is an important work for the school library collection. ARC courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, imprint of Macmillan

HEAR OUR VOICES by Radhika Natarajan and Chao Tayiana retells the story of the British Empire through 20 fascinating true stories. Exploring perspectives often overlooked, this beautifully illustrated picture book uses two-page spreads and small blocks of text to feature key figures and events from across five continents. ARC courtesy of Wide Eyes Editions, Quarto Group.

ATTACKED: PEARL HARBOR AND THE DAY WAR CAME TO AMERICA by Marc Favreau is a fast-paced work of narrative nonfiction balancing the broad world view with inspiring, individual accounts of this momentous event. Middle grade and young adult readers will enjoy the focus on the unique perspectives of everyday people along with soldiers and sailors.

ARC courtesy of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette Books.

THE LIGHT THAT SHINES written and illustrated by David T. Warner is a stunning picture book exploring the rescue of 669 children at the onset of World War II. Along with beautiful illustrations, the book also incorporates photographs and primary source documents to bring the rescue to life. ARC courtesy of Shadow Mountain Publishing.

FACING THE MOUNTAIN by Daniel James Brown is an adaption of the acclaimed work of adult nonfiction. This engaging true story explores the Japanese American heroes of World War II. Facing discrimination at home, this riveting narrative nonfiction follows three soldiers deployed to Europe and the challenges faced by their families back home. ARC courtesy of Viking Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House.

RISING ABOVE written by Hayley Diep and illustrated by Naomi Giddings is a picture book telling the story of Wataru “Wat” Misaka who became the first non-white athlete to play in the NBA. Born to immigrant parents, Wat overcame discrimination, lived in a Japanese-American incarceration camp, served in the U.S. Army and ultimately played in the NBA. The engaging text combined with the simple illustrations will appeal to young readers. ARC courtesy of Triumph Books.

Timely Take-aways for Life Long Learning: American History

From the Revolutionary War era to the San Francisco Earthquake, several works of adult nonfiction explore topics related to American History.

1789: George Washington and the Founders Create America by Thomas Allen

Overview: Learn how the United States federal government was brought into being through the leadership of George Washington and the Founders.

Take-aways: The logistics of establishing the federal government and implementing the Constitution are often overlooked in history textbooks. 

ARC courtesy of Roman & Littlefield Publishers.

American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860 by Edward L. Ayers

Overview: Explore 19th century voices that defied the status quo and challenged traditional practices.

Take-aways: Use these visionaries to explore the role of dissent and importance of diverse perspectives during the decades following the American Revolution.

ARC courtesy of W.W. Norton & Company.

Flee North by Scott Shane

Overview: Tells the story of abolitionist Thomas Smallwood who bought his freedom, then led hundreds of enslaved people to new lives in the North.

Take-aways: Use this lesser-known abolitionist to help students understand the role of satirical newspaper columns in documenting mass escapes and mocking slaveholders.

ARC courtesy of Celadon Books, an imprint of Macmillan

The Iron Dice of Battle: Albert Sidney Johnston and the Civil War in the West by Timothy B. Smith

Overview: Tracing the life of the highest-ranking American military officer to die in combat during the Civil War, this new biography explores both the man and the soldier.

Take-aways: Since he died early in the war, the impact of Johnston’s death on Confederate leadership is often overlooked. Use this recent scholarship to update course materials.

ARC courtesy of LSU Press.

The Last Outlaws: The Desperate Final Days of the Dalton Gang by Tom Clavin

Overview: Tells the true story of four brothers and their gang who moved from horse thieves to bank and train robbers in the late 19th century.

Take-aways: True crime is always popular with students. Use the story of the Dalton Gang as a reflection of the final years of the Wild West.

ARC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan.

The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 by Matthew J. Davenport

Overview: Drawing on a wide range of primary source documents, learn about one of the most devastating disasters in American history.

Take-aways: Students are fascinated by natural disasters. Use this combination of history and science to build an interdisciplinary approach that shares the devastating impact of the earthquake and fire on the largest city in the American west at the time.

ARC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan.

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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

Synergy: Celebrating Oceans

OCEANS are very large bodies of salt water. Examples include the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic oceans. Oceans over 70.8% of the Earth.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

FROM SHORE TO OCEAN FLOOR: THE HUMAN JOURNEY TO THE DEEP written by Gill Arbuthnott and illustrated by Christopher Nielsen dives down through each level of the ocean from the shore to the floor. Each chapter explores explorations and life at a different level. The book begins with an ocean timeline and concludes with discoveries and reasons why oceans are important. From shipwrecks and volcanoes to marine biologists, readers explore a wide range of topics through text blocks, comics, infographics and other interesting visuals. ARC courtesy of Big Picture Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press.

THE LAST UNEXPLORED PLACE ON EARTH: INVESTIGATING THE OCEAN FLOOR WITH ALVIN THE SUBMERSIBLE written by Aly Brown introduces middle grade readers to deep sea exploration. Readers learn about Allyn Vine’s idea for a deep-sea research submersible and the creation of the Alvin. Along the way, readers read about fascinating discoveries made by this amazing submersible. Photographs, fact boxes, and experiments ideas are woven into the narrative. ARC courtesy of Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan.

AMAZING OCTOPUS written by Michael Stavaric and illustrated by Michèle Ganser takes readers on an interactive exploration of this intelligent creature and its world. After introducing readers to history of the universe including the ocean, readers learn about the many types of octopus. Fun facts, jokes, and interesting images are woven throughout the narrative. ARC courtesy of Pushkin Children’s Books, an imprint of Steerforth Press.

A IS FOR AUSTRALIAN REEFS by Frané Lessac is an alphabet book exploring the wide range of creatures living among the reefs along Australia’s coastline. Each two-page spread introduces a letter, word, and key concept along with a brightly colored image labeled with fascinating information. The book concludes with a “spot the fish” activity. ARC courtesy of Candlewick, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

OCTOPUS! SMARTEST IN THE SEA by Ginjer L. Clarke is a leveled, intermediate reader featuring fascinating information about octopuses. Combining outstanding underwater photography with easy-to-read informational passages, Clarke engages readers in the underwater world of the octopus. ARC courtesy of Penguin Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.