The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963

by: Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright 1995

Summary: A family heading to visit Grandma in Birmingham during one of the darkest moments in the history of America.

Strengths: The chapter titles are not numbers and actually give a little idea of what the chapter will be about. It also gives history on a dark moment in American history and relates to us what an average family had to go through.

Concerns: I did not care much for the book. I felt it was too slow moving for me. The print is also very small and hard to read.
Age level: Upper(5-6), Middle

Classroom Use: Children are able to learn what life was like in Birmingham at this time. It also informs children about blacks and diversity.

Before John was a Jazz Giant

by: Carole Boston Weatherford
illustrated by: Sean Qualls
Published by: Henry Holt and Company
Copyright 2008

Summary: Tells the story by John Coltrane's claim to fame

Strengths: The text and pictures correspond accordingly( the pictures are on the same page that the text is referring too). There are good illustrations and the use of color portrayed- it feels like it took place in a different time period than life today.

Concerns: Although the text and pictures complement each other, on the same pages I feel there is too much going on and it is very busy and when looking at it, your eyes scatter everywhere on the page. The ending was also a little unclear- I had to look back because it is not directly stated and no directly ended: it kind of implied a metaphorical ending.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: It teaches children that their dreams can really come true

Titanic: Disaster at Sea

By: Martin Jenkins
Illustrated by: Brian Sanders
Published by: Candlewick Press
Copyright 2008

Summary: The story of the Titanic

Strengths: There are great pictures of the ship and the event. Each page is unique in how it presents the information displayed on the page.

Concerns: The vocab is a little hard for youngsters to comprehend. There is so much text on the pages that it can become overwhelming and intimidating. It did not seem suitable for an elementary children's book. It seems like it would be more appropriate for middle school reading level.

Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle

Classroom Use: Children can learn about shipwrecks and the importance of the Titanic. It also teaches how ships have changed their safety measures because of the Titanic

Smart About the Presidents

written and illustrated by: Jon Buller and Susan Schode, MaryAnn Cocca-Leffler, Dana Regan, Jill Weber
Published by: Grosset and Dunlap
Copyright 2004

Summary: What life is like being a president of the United States

Strengths: It gives a brief overview of what life is like as a president and the background of presidential duties. It talks briefly about the most important things each president contributed to the country. The print is relatable to children because it looks like a child's handwriting.

Concerns: Its very busy. There is too much busywork with all the different pictures and writings all together.

Age level: Primary (PreK-2), Elementary (3-4)

Classroom Use: To learn about the presidential leaders of our country and political life. It teaches students a beginning to American History

If You Lived in Colonial Times

by: Ann McGovern
Illustrated by: June Otani
Published by: Scholastic
Copyright 1964

Summary: Life in the colonial times.

Strengths: The table of contents are displayed through questions which will directly be answered in the chapter and it is very easy to find. It is also a very easy read in which it simplifies concepts that could be complicating. The pictures coincide with the text and easily relatable for children in both the text and the pictures.

Concerns: Some of the pages address too many points that it can become overcrowded.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: Children are able to learn about colonial times in which to compare and contrast it to present day. They are informed of what life was really like in 1565-1776 in New England colonies.

Introducing Michaelangelo

by: Robin Richmond
Published by: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright 1991
Summary: A biography of the Renaissance artist, illustrated with reproductions of his work.

Strengths: The illustrations are detailed which describe the text on the page. It does a good job at projecting the information and the titles explain what the select passage details out.

Concerns: Some pages are too busy-there is too much going on whether it is many pictures or more text or both. Some of the illustrations are not suitable for young eyes to view such as Michelangelo's David and other statues.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: To teach children about Michelangelo and his life and paintings. To learn about Italian art as well and the importance of the Rennaissance period.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad

by: Ellen Levine
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson
Published by: Scholastic
Copyright 2007
Summary: Henry Brown's life as a slave

Strengths: There are very detailed illustrations and present itself with an emphasis on the time period given and the mood of the story. For example, the dark colors indicating that slavery was a very dark time in history. The main character's thoughts are italicized to show he is thinking it rather than saying it.

Concerns: There is abrupt transitioning in that it shows his aging but it was very sudden and had me taken aback. The print is very small and hard to read with the vibrant emphasis on the pictures.

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Classroom Use: Information on what slavery is and its brutality. Comparing to children now and what it was like for children back then to live through this period in history.