Flashback Tuesday: Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by James McPherson

Today is the 150th Anniversary of the attack at Fort Sumter, SC which basically started the American Civil War.  Today's book is a great way to reflect on this critical time in our history.

Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by James McPherson is a wonderful and concise book that explains the whys and the wherefores of this major event in American history.   I loved this book when I first saw it because I felt that it made this conflict totally accessible to children.   The Civil War has always been a complicated story to tell.   I find it amazing that even today people argue as to what the real causes were for this war.    This book, while written for children, is actually good for older people too.   I loved the artwork and the photographs which really bring this historical moment to life.    I think it is a must have on anyone's shelf....not just children.    

Reference Sunday: The Dred Scott Decision March 6, 1857

Today is the anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision of 1857.   I have to admit I wasn't that familiar with it. I knew it had to do with slavery but I wasn't up on the facts.   I personally feel bad that I can't remember learning about this historical moment in school.   I was pleased to see that there are many books for young readers to learn about this important time in our history.   Here is a sampling of some of those books:

Dred Scott Decision by Jason Scott and published by Compass Books.

I, Dred Scott by Sheila P. Mosses, illustrated by Bonnie Christensen and published by S&S---a fictionalized account but well written with historical facts to back it up.

Dred and Harriet Scott: A Family's Struggle for  Freedom by Gwenyth Swain and published by Borealis Books----this has a nice glossary and bibliography, also liked that it discussed the family aspect of the people involved.

Some things should never be forgotten.

  

Flashback Tuesday: Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is one of my all time favorite books. It is definitely one of my favorite Patricia Polacco books. I can still remember the first time I read it. I was so blown away by the story and the illustrations that I sat and cried right in the middle of the store.

This story of two boys from different worlds during the Civil War is so touching and real that it is sometimes hard to believe it is a true story. This is a story that had been handed down from generation to generation so I am sure the tone had changed in each retelling of it. But the story always remained the same.

The illustration of the boys hands as they are being torn apart still gives me goosebumps when I think about it.

Some people might say this is too harsh a story for young children. I say we shouldn't talk down to children and should always try to tell them the truth. Children can handle more than we give them credit for.

Pink and Say was the first picture book I encountered that made me realize that not all picture books are for children. This is a book for all ages. It is not just for children~

Reference Sunday: Thank You, Sarah (The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving) by Laurie Halse Anderson illus by Matt Faulkner

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away I thought it was time to start suggesting some great Thanksgiving books.

Did you know that Thanksgiving wasn't always a national holiday? I found this really great book that tells the story of Sarah Hale the woman who campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. She wrote letters to five presidents until finally President Abraham Lincoln introduced legislation that made it a national holiday in 1863. Up until that time each state had it own day at different times of the year. There was no consistency in dates or celebrations. Sarah felt that this was wrong and as she was a strongwilled woman decided to change that.

This book by acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson is wonderful because it retells Sarah's story but in a fun and whimsical way. It is a great way to explain to children how this holiday came to be. I love to suggest books that show something we might take for granted in a new light. The illustrations adds a touch of humor that is very inviting.

Thank You, Sarah is a must for any families library ~it should be read every year, just to remind us of why we give thanks.