Book Description

Hiroshima-born Sadako is lively and athletic--the star of her school's running team. And then the dizzy spells start. Soon gravely ill with leukemia, the "atom bomb disease," Sadako faces her future with spirit and bravery. Recalling a Japanese legend, Sadako sets to work folding paper cranes. For the legend holds that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the extraordinary courage that made one young woman a heroine in Japan.

Includes instructions on how to fold your own paper crane!

"An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable." --Booklist

* A Puffin Novel
* Black-and-white illustrations
* 80 pages
* Ages 8-12

* An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
* A Child Study Children's Book Committee Children's Book of the Year ... Read more

Reviews (117)

Sadako and the thousand paper cranes
The book was interesting, because it had a good story line. I give this book three stars. This story was based on a little girl named Sadako. The book was about the past,on war. The story did not have much action in this book. It was a really good story. The cover of the book looked interesting and the name of it souned interesting. It was a sad story, it was about a radiation sickness an atom bomb droped on Sadako's home villiage. I recomend this book to evrey body!

Sadako's Life
I think that "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr is one of the greatest books anyone can read. Now Sadako is one of my favorite books. When I read the book I felt sadness in my heart. If you read this book I don't think you would ever forget it. Usually the books that I get are boring in the beginning but this book is exiting in every little detail. The story is about a little girl that named Sadako, and was two years old when the World War 2 had started. One of the bombs made her sick. Then she had to go to the hospital because of the sickness. I guarantee you that this book is great, aswome, and interesting. But in the end it's sad. So read this book if you want to find out more!!

Very important children's literature
I received this book free as a child when another one of my books (from a school book order) didn't arrive in time. Reading it really made a big impression on me and definitely gave me a perspective of the WWII that I would not have heard about in school. It is a short read, but really gets a lot of great information and emotion in that short space. To me this book is just as important reading as the Diary of Anne Frank.

A Wonderful Story
I read this book called "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" because it was so interesting and please buy this book!!! I thought it was sad and exciting. Sadako gets leukemia and she likes to run and make paper cranes. Sadako likes to celebrate Oban Day and go to Memorials. If you want to learn more about "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" buy it now!!!

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Sadako is a fine story and it shows how to do a paper crane in the end it is a very sad story to read and when Sadako almost made it to 1,000 paper crane and only made 644 paper cranes she was a great girl who lived in Japan and her friends helped her make 1,000 paper crane her sprit stilled lived.

By:
Eduardo ... Read more

Book Description

Born into slavery, young Harriet Tubman knew only hard work and hunger. Escape seemed impossible--certainly dangerous. Yet Harriet did escape North, by the secret route called the Underground Railroad. Harriet didn't forget her people. Again and again she risked her life to lead them on the same secret, dangerous journey. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1966 Ji-li Jiang turned twelve. An outstanding student and leader, she had everything: brains, the admiration of her peers, and a bright future in China's Communist Party. But that year China's leader, Mao Ze-dong, launched the Cultural Revolution, and everything changed. Over ht next few years Ji-li and her family were humiliated and scorned by former friends, neighbors, and co-workers. They lived in constant terror of arrest. Finally, with the detention of her father, Ji-li faced the most difficult choice of her life.

Told with simplicity and grace, this is the true story of one family's courage and determination during one of the most terrifying eras of the twentieth century.Ji-li Jiang was twelve years old in 1966, the year that Chairman Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in China. An outstanding student and much-admired leader of her class, Ji-li seemed poised for a shining future. But all that changed with the advent of the Cultural Revolution, when intelligence became a crime and a wealthy family background invited persecution'or worse. For the next three years Ji-li and her family were humilated and reviled by their former friends, neighbors, and colleagues and lived in constant terror of attack. At last, with the detention of her father, Ji-li was faced with the most dreadful decision of her young life: denounce him and break with her family, or refuse to testify against him and sacrifice her future in her beloved Communist Party.

Told with simplicity, innocence, and grace, this unforgettable memoir gives a child's eye view of a terrifying time in twentieth-century history'and of one family's indomitable courage under fire.

01 Blue Spruce Award Masterlist (YA Cat.)

Reviews (74)

The Red Scarf Girl: A Girl With Determination
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang was a fascinating memoir about Ji-li's life during the Cultural Revolution. This book exceptionally demonstrates the qualities of a hero, presented by Ji-li's actions. Ji-li was a smart, determined leader and she always stood up for what she believed was right, all of which are qualities of a hero.
A person would not only be drawn to this book because it takes place during the Cultural Revolution, which was a horrible time period for many people living in China then, but because it is about a girl going into junior high school who is strong, inside and out, by standing up for what she believes is right, no matter what criticism and punishment she faces on her quest to make things right. In this book, Ji-li comes from a family of bad class status because her grandfather was a landlord. The Communist Party, which Ji-li belongs to, is run by Mao Ze-dong who is trying to reform China by getting rid of the Four Olds: Old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits. The Red Guard, a group of teenagers who live to serve Mao Ze-dong, search the homes of families with bad class status to confiscate any objects and possessions that might have fallen into the category of one of the Four Olds. Since Ji-li was born into a family of bad class status, she is told that she still has a chance to become an educable child. She would have to do whatever it took to prove herself loyal to Mao Ze-dong, even if it meant breaking from her family. One night, Ji-li's father is arrested by the citizens of Shanghai, the city where the story takes place, and Ji-li has to decide between two choices: whether to break off relations with him and her family to become an official supporter of Mao Ze-dong, or to support her father and family, which would cause her to sacrifice any future that she would have in the Communist Party.
An example of when Ji-li demonstrates her heroic nature was when she was able to stand up to her enemies, Du Hai and Yang Fan. Ji-li was being teased by them for saying things that were Four Olds. They were tormenting her so much that finally, she was able to come back with thing that they had done which were Four Olds also. This part of the book is significant to the idea of heroism because part of being a hero is standing up to your enemies and not letting anyone bring you down.
"Not me. I'll never be a quitter." This is a quote from a part in the book where Ji-li is given one more chance to prove her loyalty to Mao Ze-dong by working in a rice field as summer labor. This is a terribly difficult job, working for many days bending over rice plants in the scorching heat. One day as she was working, Ji-li faints from exhaustion. Her friend, Chang Hong who is a member of the Red Guards, says that she should stop working in the fields, but Ji-li doesn't want to give up. She loves her family and she also loves Mao Ze-dong and the Communist Party, so she feels that summer labor is the only way that she can have them both. This scene in the rice fields symbolizes how determined Ji-li is and how she will never give up on a task, no matter what the circumstances are; a true quality of a hero.
This story about Ji-li in the Cultural Revolution brings out the qualities that are put together to convey the theme of an exceptional hero. The heroic actions that Ji-li takes to stand up for what she believes in makes this story very enjoyable and uplifting even when her family is going through emotional struggles. This story is well-written and detailed and anyone who is interested in China and the Cultural Revolution should read it.

A review of Red Scarf girl
In today's world, people are taught that heroic people must influence the masses. Only those who have monumental physical strength, celebrity status, or piles of money have the resources to affect the world around them. Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang disproves these notions. This non-fiction book tells the story of a 12 year-old girl growing up in the midst of the Cultural Revolution who becomes a hero to her family. The glossary at the end of the book defines the Cultural Revolution as "The social and political upheaval that overtook China from 1966 to 1976. During this time many innocent people were ruthlessly persecuted. THe Cultural Revolution was launched by Chairman Mao, supposedly to rid the country of anti-Communist influences. Long afterward it was revealed that Chairman Mao unleashed this chaos in order to protect his own political position." (pg. 276) Red Scarf Girl is a moving, well-written story.
The book opens with a prologue, in which Ji-Li tells the reader the single most important lesson in school: "Heaven and earth are great, but greater still is the kindness of the Communist Party; father and mother are dear, but dearer still is Chairman Mao." (pg. 1) The people of China are brainwashed with this mantra, but Ji-Li does not feel it plays a large role in her life until sixth grade. Always a high achiever, she is looking forward to attending Shi-yi, an elite middle school. Then, Chairman Mao nullifies all teacher recommendations and divides children into schools by neighborhood; meaning Ji-Li will not go to Shi-yi. This is only the beginning of Ji-Li's problems. She becomes an outcast in school, her house is searched and Communist officers take everything of value, all because of her family's middle class status. Ji-Li's father is held in prison because his father was the evilest of all men - a landlord. Ji-Li is offered freedom from her "black" (non-Communist) class status by Communist officers. All she has to do is break from her family and testify against her father. No 12 year old should have to make the decisions she did.
Ji-Li Jiang used literary techniques to tell her story effectively. She is very descriptive, for example, "The kitchen, located on the landing and crowded with pots and pans and a two burner stove, was crowded and stuffy. With the heat from the sun outside and the heat from the stove in front of me, I was simply melting." (pg. 90) Ji-Li uses dialogue to make the story more interesting. Though she may not have remembered exactly what everyone said, the dialogue keeps the book moving. Although the book does not tell of her life throughout the entire Cultural Revolution, the book has a satisfying ending; not a fairytale finish, but a hopeful one. All of these storytelling elements enrich Red Scarf Girl.
One of the most important qualities of a hero is selflessness. Ji-Li Jiang showed this repeatedly. A Communist officer offered to let her change her name in order to break from her "anti-Communist" family. She almost does, but then, "I thought of Aunt Xi-wen lying in the alley (being punished for having bad class status), and Shan-Shan (her son, who had "broken" from her) walking right past her. I jumped up and ran out." (pg. 215) Later, people from her father's work unit pulled her out of class and gave her a very serious decision to make. "'As I told you before, you are your own person. If you want to make a clean break with your black family, then you can be an educable child and we will welcome you to our revolutionary ranks'...I saw myself standing in the middle of the stage, facing thousands of people...condemning Dad for his crimes, raising my fist to lead the chant." (pg. 224-5) Ji-Li refuses his offer, which meant that although she would be frowned upon in society, she would remain faithful to her family. It would have been easy for Ji-Li to change her name or testify against her father to save herself. Heroes, however, have the strength to be selfless.
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang shows how one 12 year old had the strength to be a hero, to be selfless. Ji-Li was not rich, very physically strong, or well-known. She only put others before herself, a truly heroic action. Clearly, Ji-Li Jiang put her best effort into this book. Red Scarf Girl is exceptionally written, and can inspire everyone.

Interesting
This is a wonderful book that drew me in. I really felt for Ji-Li Jiang, the main character. I read it when I was in elementary school and didn't know anything about the Cultural Revolution. It educated me and I also liked how realistic it was (that's because it is a true story) and how Ji-Li agreed with communism, and it took a long time for her to realize how wrong it was even though she herself suffered a lot.

It's not five stars though. It's a good book and I can't find anything wrong with it, but I've read better and it's not one of my favorite books. But I still highly recommend it.

Mao's Reign Exposed Through a Child's Eyes
Ji-li opens up to the world what her suffering meant to her in her childhood. Her bravery held her up through the beginning of communism in her country. Red Guards (supporters of the Cultural Revolution) roamed the streets, ransacked homes, beat teachers, and took Ji-li's father to "detention". The pain of Ji-li flows through the book. The before admiration of her peers went to hate. The bright future as a Red Guard becomes dark. Ji-li's hopes and dreams fall from automatic judgment and ancestry. Ji-li's story is devastating but her determination in Mao's dark world is inspiring.

A Must Read!
Having spent several years of my childhood in Hong Kong, I've had an ongoing interest in Chinese culture and history. When I read this book, I felt that this was a book I wanted to share with everyone.

Red Scarf Girl gives us a window into the life of a girl growing up during the Cultural Revolution - a time of great upheaval in China. Having read "Life and Death in Shanghai," by Nien Ching, several years earlier, I had already been given an excellent perspective of what it must have been like to live through this period as an adult. Now, I was fascinated to see the years of the revolution detailed through the eyes of a young girl who was trying not just to survive, but to rationalise, accept, and believe in what she saw happening around her.

This is a very moving account and I believe that anyone could benefit from reading it unless they are determined not to let that happen. ... Read more

Book Description

She was a young German Jew.

He was an ardent member of the Hitler Youth.

This is the story of their parallel journey through World War II.

Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck were born just a few miles from each other in the German Rhineland. But their lives took radically different courses: Helen's to the Auschwitz extermination camp; Alfons to a high rank in the Hitler Youth.

While Helen was hiding in Amsterdam, Alfons was a fanatic believer in Hitler's "master race." While she was crammed in a cattle car bound for the death camp Auschwitz, he was a teenage commander of frontline troops, ready to fight and die for the glory of Hitler and the Fatherland. This book tells both of their stories, side-by-side, in an overwhelming account of the nightmare that was WWII. The riveting stories of these two remarkable people must stand as a powerful lesson to us all. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Great for youth to read
This book is geared for youth, and I think it's okay for kids from age 10 on up. Older teenagers and adults should be sure to check out Heck's other two books, "Child of Hitler: Germany in the Days When God Wore a Swastika," and "The Burden of Hitler's Legacy." All three books contain good stuff that is left out of the other two books - for example, Parallel Journeys contains the Jewish perspective of Ms. Waterford, and is written for youthful readers; Child of Hitler focuses on the events prior to and during the war; and The Burden of Hitler's Legacy provides a lot more detail about the events leading up to the end of the war, and the events after the war. I strongly recommend all three books, and promise you that you will not come away with the feeling that you have read the same story three times.

Parallel Journeys
This book is about two people living in two very different worlds. One is a Jew who gets sent to a concentration camp and the other is a member of the Hitler Youth. One strong point was how the author put the book together, on a timeline of events. You get to see both sides of the story. It got me hooked because I was waiting to see what happened to them. I thought this was a very good book to read, especially if you want to teach kids about the Holocaust.

Unbelivable!
This is probably the best Holocasut book I have ever read, which is a real honor considering how many I have read. I cannot belive the truth of this book and how you are afraid to end it because you will loose a friend. I was impressed how each story told was backed up by facts and took you through the entire ordeal from childhood to present. In the book it tells the story of a woman who is a Holocaust survivor and a man who is in the Hitler Youth and becomes a pilot for the Nazis. It is the real-deal when it comes to Holocaust literature and I reccomend it it you are new to this area, and I reccomend it if you have been at it for years!

One of the best Holocaust books I've ever read!
I thought that Parallel Journeys was an amazing and informational books, and I thought that it was the best Holocaust book that I have ever read. (And that it is a lot of books) And why, people ask, do I like Parallel Journeys so much? It is because it gives both sides of the Holocaust: one of a Nazi and the other of a German Jew. It was amazing, and I learned quite a bit for it. And the way it was written: with one chapter of the Nazi's story and the next of the Jew and so on, was amazing. Both stories facinated me, and I will never forget the huge amount of information that I learned from it.

Parallel Journeys
This book was very enlightening because it shows the view of a woman (Jew) Helen Waterford and a man (Hitler Youth) Alfons Heck. ... Read more

Book Description

Family stories are so important, and stories from our Church-family may be even more so. In this collection of brief biographies, Hannula sketches the stirring trials and triumphs of many famous and lesser known fathers and mothers of our faith-including Augustine, Charlemagne, Anselm, Luther, Bunyan, and C.S. Lewis.Written for ages 5-12. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

What Christians Should Know
This is an awesome book! We studied it in our adult Sunday school class with extra readings on each chapter from other sources. It is information that every Christian should know because it is our history! Rather than obsess on (a) series which is information that is fiction, we should read about the facts of those that went before us, many who died standing up for their faith. It is written at a level that grade school children can understand. Most adult Christians know little of our own history!

Thank you to Richard Hannula and this important book!

Best principal there will ever be
If you want to read an excellent book about stalwart soldiers for Christ, written by a principled (no pun intended), committed, and passionate Christian, and if you want to be "spurred on toward love and good deeds" by the examples of these amazing and courageous believers, read Trial and Triumph! In his writing, Mr. Hannula makes Augustine, Ambrose, Polycarp, and all the others come alive--just as he makes history exciting and real for the students he teaches in his history classes. Do yourself a favor and read his book.

very unique book
I would recommend this for adults and older children. Most Protestants put so much focus on the Bible that they don't learn much about anything that happened in the Church after the book of Acts. This book will help fill in the gaps.

Brush up on church history
This is a great way to learn church history through fascinating biographical sketches. It's a children's book, and I have read it aloud to my six- and eight-year-olds, but I enjoyed it for my own reading first. It will make you appreciate your religious freedom in a new way, and inspire you to live a courageous Christian life.

Excellent stories of some of the King's most faithful
In the great traditions of Fair Sunshine and Foxe's Book ofMartyrs, Hannula has retold many beautiful stories of Christ'sservants. Its simplicity is ideal for children, while its depth is extraordinary for all. Perfect for devotional use as well as a teaching tool. ... Read more

Book Description

This book tells the story of theworld of the Renaissance and the Reformation.Columbus, Prince Henry the Navigator, Ivan III, Gutenburg, Queen Isabella, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammed II, Nomi Mansa, Martin Luther, Vasco de Gama, Copernicus, Michelangelo and many others all come to life. The author, a three time Newbery Honor Award-winner, presents the events of this important period as a series of miniature dramas with an emphasis on the interaction of events and people. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

grain of salt
While this book does make interesting connections and presents history as a narrative, it struck this reader as having a strong white Christian bias. Isabel, who expelled Muslims and Jews and then sanctioned the Inquisition to hideously murder and torture those that were left, practically has a halo over her head (the inquisition is mentioned, but she doesn't get nearly enough credit for it). Prince Henry's exploration motives are purely based on his desire to better the lives of savages by spreading Christianity; hubris, greed, and material gain apparently never entered into his equation. Meanwhile, while I commend Foster for devoting a quick chapter to African emperor Mansa Musa, ignored by mainstream children's histories until fairly recently, I have to say that her portrayal of Africans leaves something to be desired; probably the less said the better. I recommend checking the book out of the library prior to plunking down the bucks for it. I will say that it's a decent starting place, but please encourage discussion, hopefully from the non-Western and non-Christian point of view.

Intriguing Concept
Genevieve Foster's books are based on an intriguing concept: a horizontal approach to history; a view of the world and the people who lived during the lifetime of the main character--in this case Columbus. Charlotte Mason would have us delve deeply into an era; these books help us do that.

Each section of the book starts with an interest-grabbing 2-page spread naming and illustrating people who lived during a portion of Columbus' life. These drawings could be copied and pasted into the student's book of centuries or timeline as the corresponding story is read. The maps and illustrations throughout the book provide much interest, although these short stories are appealing because of their conversational tone.

You'll want to acquire all the books in this series by Genevieve Foster. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soldiers, scientists, performers, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, quilt makers, pilots... as author Lynne Cheney writes, "America’s amazing women have much to teach our children--and much inspiration to offer us, as well." Coming on the heels of America: A Patriotic Primer(Cheney’s previous collaboration with illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser), A Is for Abigail celebrates the achievements of women in American history, with a special emphasis on the individuals who helped win equal rights for women. As with America, Cheney uses an alphabet book format to introduce hundreds of remarkable real women: "O is for SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR and others who were first." In addition to the first woman Supreme Court Justice, the "O" page includes Wilma Mankiller, first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation; Jeannette Rankin, first female member of Congress; and Nellie Tayloe Ross, first woman governor. Glasser’s playful illustrations are lively and busy, inviting readers to explore Abigail Adams's farm or the crowded city block that houses "V is for VARIETY," with its DNA lab, dance studio, dentist office, and "PERSONS at WORK" sign. Snippets of information about each featured woman give a taste; ideally, readers will seek more in-depth biographies about the historical figures who pique their interests. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A is for Amazing
This is a wonderful primer on the history of women in America. It paints a very vivid picture, using wonderful and engaging illustrations to draw you into what is a picture narrative. In spite of what some reviewers have said, the diversity in this book is wonderful. Harriet Tubman and Sacagawea are on the front cover of the book, two of five women featured, and Rosa Parks is featured on the back cover alongside Sandra Day O'Connor and Eleanor Roosevelt. As someone who works in the educational publishing field, it is obvious that a lot of thought was put into representing women from various ethnic backgrounds. Apart from the real non white women featured including: Mary McLeod Bethune, Ida Wells-Barnett, Sui Fin Far, Madame C. J. Walker, Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Judith Jamison, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Hazel Harrison, Annie Dodge Wauneka, Charlotte Ray, Zora Neale Hurston, Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the list of women of color and other backgrounds depicted in this book (the list goes on and on), the illustrator has worked hard to include depictions of minorities in the incidental art. I honestly don't understand the diversity complaints at all; they must have been looking at another book. I would recomnd A is for Abigail to girls and women of all ages and men as well. It's just a whole lot of fun to look at and you'll learn a few things about the amazing women who did great things for our country.

A Beautiful Tribute To Women
In this beautiful book, the accomplishments of women throughout American history are described briefly but with great attention to detail. Women from all walks of life, as well as all backgrounds and generations are represented, and it is a little surprising to discover how many women achieved greatness even before the current generation. As a woman and mother of 4 girls, I find this book delightful, informative, encouraging, interesting, and lovely to look at. The illustrations are colorful and lively, perfect for children of all ages. I strongly recommend adding this book to your home library.

A lovely and meaningful book.
"Remember the Ladies," Abigail Adams told her husband in a 1776 letter. In fact she went so far as to warn him, "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." Unfortunately it was not until the 1900s before women were able to vote. Still, they found many ways to make their mark, have their say, and get their way.

Presented in the format of an alphabet book, A IS FOR ABIGAIL is a remarkable collection of stories about women who have made a difference in the history of the United States. Each beautifully illustrated, often annotated, page is packed with information and quotes. We are shown how women have been able to make a difference in various aspects of life, despite opposition. They have been fliers, artists, business people and inventors, to name only a few occupations.

Robin Preiss Glasser finds the most extraordinary ways to present this information. For example, the letter F stands for "First Ladies." Portraits of them are shown on teacups, milk jugs, sugar bowls, coffee pots, and teapots. The women who made their mark in the press are shown on the front of a newspaper, while those ladies who gained fame as performers are shown on a stage.

By the time we close this extraordinary book we feel empowered, knowing that women have achieved so much in a world that has not always been hospitable to their successes. We should all be proud of and grateful to Lynne Cheney and her wonderful illustrator for creating such a lovely and meaningful book.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (mjansengruber@mindspring.com)

Wonderful Children's Book
My daughter loves to look through this as I read it to her. She loves alphabet books and this one teaches her about her country.
I would highly recommend this book.

Abigail Adams and hundreds of other American women
You might think that from the title of "A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women," that Lynne Cheney (yes, the wife of the Vice President of the United States), is going to introduce us to twenty-six women, one for each letter of the alphabet. You might be wondering if Cheney is going to go by first names or last names, since Abigail is Abigail Adams (the wife of the first Vice President of the United States) and you could go either way. The answer to the second question is the Cheney uses last names but more importantly on the first point she introduces us to a lot more than twenty-six American women. For example, "D" is for Emily Dickinson, the country's greatest poet, but the names of other poets from Edna St. Vincent Milay to Sylvia Plath, while "F" is for the First Ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush, and includes a great quotation from Barbara Bush's great commencement speech at Wellesley College in 1990. Then you should see the four page spread that opens up to show all the performers for "P," from Carol Burnett to Katharine Hepburn, or everything that is crammed into the two pages on "U" for US history.

The back of this book includes Notes on the Text that provides details about all 28 of those poets and some of the First Ladies. The illustrations are by Robin Preiss Glasser, who collaborated with Cheney on "America: A Patriotic Primer." Hopefully one day young readers will be able to appreciate the details that Glasser puts into her art, such as having Carol Burnett in the infamous curtain dress from the "Gone with the Wind" parody and doing the painting of Mary Cassatt in the style of a Mary Cassatt painting. This book intends to bring to light the "remarkable (although often unmarked) achievements of American women." Young readers should be captivated just by what they learn about Abigail Adams on the opening spread of this engaging volume, and if what little they learn here about Althea Gibson, Elizabeth Peabody, Jane Addams, Nellie Bly, Anne Sullivan and the rest of these American women inspires them to find out some more details about even a half-dozen of them, that would certainly be a step in the right direction. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Arizona was born in a log cabin her papa built. She grew into a tall girl who liked to sing, square-dance, and -- most of all -- read and dream of the faraway places she would visit one day.

Arizona never did make it to those places. Instead she became a teacher, helping generations of children in the one-room schoolhouse which she herself had attended. Gloria Houston's Joyous recounting of her great-aunt Arizona's quiet yet meaningful life reminds us of the magical place a special teacher can hold in our hearts.

Reviews (5)

It will go with you in your mind...
By far, one of my favorite books for children. I love reading it to my babies. The text with the beautiful pictures will go with you in your mind forever...

My Great Aunt Arizona
This is a wonderful book. As an elementary teacher I especially enjoy reading it with my students and own a classroom set. It is a beautiful story of a teacher and contains lovely illustrations. It is a sweet depiction of schools and life long ago.

A must read for all (especially teachers)
From the moment I was introduced to this book, I knew I had to have it. It is such a wonderful story of a woman who enjoyed learning and dreamed of travelling to the places she read about only to have circumstances prevent it. She did the next best thing - she became a teacher and inspired countless students to live their dreams. Every teacher should read this - it will reinforce the reasons you entered the profession.

Gorgeous
Beautifully done! My 2 yr old and I like this one, the illustrations are gorgeous.The story is sweet, a real-life story for a change! It was given to us by the most inspiring person, she inspired my love of books and now her grand daughters, my mother.(who happens to be a teacher, the best!) This book is a keeper!

extremely touching
This is one of my favorite children's books. It is a simple and beautiful story--no matter how many times I read it, I have a hard time getting through it without tearing up. It's also a great way to introduce young children to biography and to one-room schoolhouse days. I recently donated this book to my grandmother's hometown library as a very appropriate tribute to her memory--as she was also a teacher who touched many lives, in school and out, as most true teachers do. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not just for Elementary School Students
This text is geared toward an elementary audience. It is a quite comprehensive look at Douglass' life. It could easily be used to illustrate that slaves did not only work on plantations in the south, but in cities hired out as laborers. It would be an excellent introduction for the abolitionist movement and other events leading to the U.S. Civil War. Students enjoy being read to from these types of texts, but remember to give them something to do while listening. Have students complete an undated timeline of his life. Then utilize these timelines to discuss the main ideas of the text with students. (Possibly using the timeline notes graphic organizer from Jim Burke's Tools for Thought

A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass
A great book with which to incorporate children's literature with social studies instruction. Political Science is just one discipline of the social studies and as such can be taught effectively in early childhood classrooms. Books like this one about Frederick Douglass demonstrate how individuals sought to secure rights for all people and were willing to violate unjust laws in the process. ... Read more

Book Description

"Think of it as a game, Jack.
Play the game right and you might outlast the Nazis."

Caught up in Hitler's Final Solution to annihilate Europe's Jews, fifteen-year-old Jack Mandelbaum is torn from his family and thrown into the nightmarish world of the concentration camps. Here, simple existence is a constant struggle, and Jack must learn to live hour to hour, day to day. Despite intolerable conditions, he resolves not to hate his captors and vows to see his family again. But even with his strong will to survive, how long can Jack continue to play this life-and-death game?

Award-winning author Andrea Warren has crafted an unforgettable true story of a boy becoming a man in the shadow of the Third Reich.

Reviews (14)

A boy in the Nazi Death Camps
Surviving Hitler, by Andrea Warren, is a story about a boy named Jack Mandelbaum. He is a Jewish boy and lives during the time of WWII. He is separated from his family and lives in a concentration camp. He has to survive in them. He is very determined to survive in the camps because he wants to meet with his family after the war.
During his time in the camps he meets a man named Aaron who gives him vital information about the camps. He also tells him that if he cannot work, the Nazis will kill him. He tells him about the ovens. What I think is the most important rule that Aaron told Jack was that this was just a game that Hitler was playing. Jack was in that game. If Jack lost, he would die, but if Jack won, he would survive the Nazi death camps and live after the war was over.
I recommend this book because it had a lot of good description, great quotes, and a very interesting and unpredictable plot. I would rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5 and not a 5 out of 5 because it didn't give many details about his life after the war or about the other characters lives after the war. This was an all around good book that I enjoyed very much.

Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps
Boy Survivor
Are you interested in World War II and the Nazi death camps and what it was like for the Jews? If you are, you should definitely read this book. It is a true story about a Jewish boy named Jack. Jack lived a normal life with his family in a Polish village called Gdynia. His family was well off and happy. He loved the beach and got into trouble. He was a normal boy. He didn't really practice Judaism. He didn't understand the war and he didn't care, until the Nazi occupation. That changed everything. Jack and his family are forced into a ghetto and later separated and sent to concentration camps. As Jack is moved from camp to camp, he meets new friends and he finds himself changing. All he wants is to survive. All the time he is wondering what happened to his family and when the war will be over. He is always worrying about sickness and what is happening to his family and where they are. Are they even alive? Sometimes he thinks he should just give up and die, but each time he manages to get through, right? You'll have to read and find out!
I loved this book. I have read a lot of books this year, a few were about World War II, and this was one of my favorite. This book really helped me understand what the concentration camps were like. I had always wondered what is was like and I tried to find a good book but none of them was as descriptive and real as this one. One of the reasons was that this story is true. The depth of this book really gave me a great idea about World War II. I got lost in it and never wanted to stop reading. I definitely recommend this book. I would only recommend it to people who can handle detail and gruesome facts. It has to be in detail, it's true! It may be detailed but it is still one of the best books I've ever read.
This book showed what kind of courage, hope, mental strength and faith it took to survive the camps. The most physically strong person could be the first to die, but the strong in heart were the last survivors.

A boy at camp
Surviving Hitler was about a boy named Jack who was jewish. Jack lived with his mom,sister,brother, and dad. Jack's dad heard that the nazi's were coming for the jews. Jack's dad sent his family to live with his father in a small village. Jack's dad did not go because he did not have enough money. Before Jack and his family left Jacks sister went to stay with her aunt so she could help her aunt with the baby she just had. Jack and his family finally arrive at there grandfathers house. They stay there for a while then the Nazi's come and put all the jews in little houses with more than one family. Jacks father still has not came back to them. One night in the middle of the night Nazi's came and made the jews immediately leave. Jack and his family waited in line and when it was there turn jack showed the soldier that he had a nazi work stamp. Jack thought it would get his whole family through , but it only got him through. Jack was seperated from his family. Jack was moved to several different camps for his good labor. Then he met a really good friend and they were moved to be camp cooks. Jack would have died a couple of days later if he had not worked in the kitchen. You will have to read the book to see if Jack survives or if he will be reunited with his family.

Holocaust Surviving
Surviving Hitler is a wonderful survival story depicting courage, and friendship in a great, breath stopping story about a boy in a Nazi death camp. Jack's faith, courage, and friendship with Moniek help him get through the hard time in his life and survive Hitler. This story is interesting to me because Jack is about my age and sometimes what happens to him can relate to life now. The story taught me about the Holocaust in a way that I could learn it better than usual. Jack can be an idol for people who are going through very hard times in their lives to show them that they can survive it. This book is so good that it is now one of my favorite books of all.

True Holocaust Story
Surviving Hitler is one of the best Holocaust books I have read. I love to read about it and this book makes you feel as if you are acually there with him in the death camps. I like the saying,"This is all a game.You must win to live."It is both dramatic as well as a little bit scary.I hope that people will read this book and realize what life was like for the Jews in concentration camps.This is clearly the best non-fiction book I've read. ... Read more

Book Description

The only book to profile girl heroines who made their mark on the world before turning twenty.

Why is it that girls who want to be basketball starts or presidents of their country grow into teenagers who doubt they will ever do anything important?What are we telling girls about what they can and can't achieve?There have been many influential girls throughout history, but their stories are seldom told.The girls profiled in Girls Who Rocked the World are from the past and present, some well-known and others overlooked.Girls like:

* Joan of Arc was 17 years old when she led French troops against armies of English invaders.She defeated the English and rescued her country.She was burned at the stake at 19.

* Cristen Powell is one of the top drag racers in America, male or female.She began racing at 16 and is the youngest female racer in history.

*Other girls included are: Cleopatra (Egypt), Phillis Wheatley (America), Wang Yani (China), Mary Leakey (England), Sarah Bernhardt (France), Frida Kahlo (Mexico), and Mother Teresa (India).

The book also links the heroines of the past to the girls of today.Between the historical profiles are photos and writings of today's girls answering the question "How do I plan to rock the world?"

This fun, hip book will inspire girls to make their dreams come true by showing them other amazing girls who did it before them and who changed the world. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Girls Rock!
    In her teens, Amelie Welden began writing this book, "Girls who rocked the world", about girls under 20 that have had a major impact on the image of women around the world, throughout history. These tales of hardships and obstacles women have overcome to reach success against the odds is perfect motivational reading for the girls of today. Amelie Welden combines girls from all different situations and backgrounds in this book that share the same characteristics of a heroine. Whether it is Joan of Arc, a French crusader, or Martina Hingis, Women's tennis championship, girls can find good role models. Among the 33 women mentioned in the book, three of which, I found exemplified outstanding characteristics of a heroine making this book a worthwhile read, Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley, and Helen Keller.

    This book begins with most likely the most famous woman ruler of them all, Cleopatra. Blessed with riches from the beginning, this girl had all the makings to become a woman who would rock the world, and she did. She faced incredible responsible at the age of only 18 when she was crowned Queen of the Egyptian Empire. Ruling her empire was a difficult task when she was thought of as inferior, for being a women to other male rulers, but that didn't shake her confidence. From the start things went rough for the Queen and she found herself exiled from her own country because advisors felt threatened by her ideas and independence. However, determined, and clever, she devised a plan in order to get into her country to meet Julius Caesar, and the rest is history. The significance of her story is to prove to the world that girls can succeed in a position dominated by men. With the right skill and attitude shown by Cleopatra for her country, any girl can become good at her passion. Cleopatra's heroic courage and willingness to put her life on the line for the sake of her beloved country, is an admirable quality every girl should have.

    Unlike Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley was born at a time when it was unheard of for African-Americans to be anymore than slaves, let alone women. However, Phillis Wheatley decided to change her stars, and follow her love for writing. Writing was a way for Phillis to express her feelings, a privilege that any girl should have. Unfortunately no one would listen or hardly appreciate the poetry of a black girl, no matter how good it was. But knowledge is power and as Phillis advanced in her studies, she gained respect. Her life proved that even a black girl could be an intelligent and an educated person if given the opportunity. She opened new doors for the rights of African-Americans and took society a step closer to accepting her race. She taught the world to look past superficial things like skin color and take a deeper look into what the person has to say. It takes a lot of courage to do this at a time when the slavery issue was so controversial, but Phillis Wheatley dared to be different and never gave up on her dreams. Her patriotic spirit but unwillingness to accept the injustice she was forced to live among made her one of the most respected heroines in our society and an excellent role model for girls to follow.

    Left blind and deaf when she was still a baby, no one could have guessed Helen Keller would become one of the most important advocates for the disabled of her time. Although very intellectually bright Helen was never given the chance to learn because it was the common idea that disabled people were not worthwhile to educate. Finally a teacher decided to take a chance on her and suddenly concepts started to make sense to Helen. She became a rapid learner up to where she could read, write, and speak as well as anyone. The rest of Helen's life dedicated on trying to break down the barriers of education discrimination and to change the way people thought of the "disabled". Girls who have disabilities can relate to Helen's story. The significance of Helen Keller's life is that she not only had to overcome a huge disability herself, but then went on to help others overcome the same obstacles so they could have equal opportunities. She fought her battle by educating and spreading awareness to others, so disabled people wouldn't have to face the discrimination she had. She rocked the world by speaking out and was devoted to her life's goal no matter how impossible it may have seemed. Helen devoted her life to help others so they wouldn't have to go through was she did. All these characteristics make her a heroine in everyone's eyes, including the disabled.

    All the women in this book possess very admirable characteristics that allowed them to follow their dreams against all odds. Along their journeys they encountered obstacles that only girls could take on. It takes courage and spirit to attempt what they did, and even more strength to succeed at it. But they believed in themselves which took them far and made them heroines who undoubtedly rocked the world. As the young orator Anna Dickinson said, "The world belongs to those who take it", these girls did, and so will the girls of today after they read this book!

Must read for every girl in America
I read this book with my daughter who is 7. Both of us were awed by the featured women in the book. The book is short and the stories concise. It is inspiring to see not only women who changed the world, but young women doing so much. Every school and girl in America should read this book. I am buying them as gifts for every girl we know!

Inspiring!
Girls Who Rocked the World is an inspiring book. Not only do you learn interesting facts about many famous and accomplished women, you also receive a unique perspective into their dreams, fears, struggles, and successes. I will recommend this book to everyone I know!

LOVE IT!!!! I'm giving it as a gift to every girl I know!!!
I originally purchased this book for my 8 year old daughter. I think I like it better than she does! I absolutely *LOVE* reading about 14 year old girls who rocked the world... and I feel empowered to follow my dreams to rock the world a little myself. I especially love the current-day kids at the end of each section with their plans!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (22)

WWII as seen through the eyes of a child.
Though this story is told as Marion saw it as a young child, it nevertheless remains a powerful and moving documentary of the most devastating war our planet has ever known.

This book is also a very good WWII primer. It would be required reading for a class entitled "WWII 101".

Marion Blumenthal spent her early childhood in Hoya, Germany with her brother and parents. They were a happy, prosperous Jewish family who owned a successful shoe retail business. But Marion's safe, secure world was shattered by the rise of the Third Reich in Germany. The Nazis, the dominant political party of the Third Reich, implemented their radical racial attacks against Jews, Gypsies, Slavics, Homosexuals, Communists, and whomever else was seen as a threat to Aryan purity. This meant the end of life as Marion knew it. Each passing day was a struggle to stay alive and out of the Nazis' clutches.

Despite their best efforts, the Blumenthal family fell prey to the Nazis. They eventually landed in Westerbork, a camp from which the prisoners where shipped to their deaths in places such as Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. The Blumenthals were transferred to Belsen, and despite their bleak future, Marion clung tenaciously to the hope that better times would come for her and her family. To bolster her and their spirits, she set about collecting four perfectly-shaped pebbles from the grounds of the camp. This was her metaphor for her family which, hopefully, would remain as one till the end of the war.

As the war dwindled to a close and Germany suffered one defeat after another, camp prisoners were shuttled along the remains of the Germain railways as the Nazis tried to desperately conceal the evils they had commited in the abandoned camps. Just when it seemed the war would drag on forever, Marion, her family, and their fellow prisoners were intercepted and liberated by Russian troops.

A beautiful story of inspiration, courage, and keeping a positive attitude even in the most dire of circumstances.

Its a great story of a family's courage during the Holocaust
I am in 6th grade and 11 years old. I love holocaust stories better than anything and this is definitely a five star book! I have read this book and it is fabulous. Marion and her family show great courage as they fight the battle of antisemitism. I love this book and I want Marion Blumenthal to know that it has touched me very much. It was so stirring that I couldn't put it down. If you liked this book, you should read Never to be Forgotten by Beatrice Muchman. (You can order it here on Amazon.) Marion, her mother, brother and father are wonderful testimonies of strength and courage during WWII. Anyone else who has a story like this should tell it. There are to many people out there who love these stories alot, I'm one of them. Thankyou for sharing your story with us Mrs. Blumenthal!!! It is fantastic!

Moving story from a child's point of view
"Four Perfect Pebbles" by Lila Perl and Marion Blumenthal Lazan, tells the story of young Marion's life in Hoya Germany during the rise of the Nazis. The story goes from Holland to Bergan-Belsen where the Blumenthal family ends up. And then after the war in the United States.
While this is book for the younger reader, this is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone at any age. Truly this book should not be missed.

A Must-Read
FOUR PERFECT PEBBLES is just one of thousands of such stories that mandate telling and retelling. Simply and beautifully, Perl relates one little girl's mode of survival through one of history's most heinous periods. As the author of another Holocaust book, FAR ABOVE RUBIES by Cynthia Polansky, I read everything I can get my hands on pertaining to the Holocaust. This one is a gem that must not be overlooked.

Mary Cooke and Kate Robinson's review
Brief summary and Review:

Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story is a wonderful book of how a family stays together through thick and thin. The story is about one Jewish family's struggle for survival during the Nazi occupation of Europe. The family includes Ruth Blumenthal, the mother, Walter Blumenthal, the father, Marion Blumenthal, the daughter, and Albert Blumenthal, the son. The Blumenthals lived in concentration camps for six years which included Westerbork in Holland and the notorious concentration camp of Bergen-Belson in Germany. Conditions in these camps were so terrible that nearly half the camps population died of disease, starvation, exposure, exhaustion, or brutal beatings. The book received its name from young Marion's search to find four perfect pebbles of almost the same size. If Marion could manage to find these four pebbles, she felt that it meant her family would remain whole and be strong enough to survive the Nazi reign. This game kept young Marion's mind on things other than dead bodies lying around, the rumbles of her starving tummy, and the want for her family and life to go back to normal. This is a great story about the importance of family and diversity. I would encourage everyone to take this book home with them today and experience the true account of one family's struggle through the Holocaust. ... Read more

Book Description

Much more than a biography of Lincoln or a history of the Civil War, this portrait of Lincoln makes our sixteenth president accessible to young readers as a human being, rather than as a historic icon or paragon of virtue. The author, renowned for his award-winning books on great leaders, shows how a principled but imperfect man -- full of intelligence but also of sorrow,logical and determined but also cautious and prejudiced grew under the pressure of personal tragedy and national crisis to become our greatest president.The book is written in a quick-flowing, engaging style, detailed but easy to read. The author effortlessly uses eyewitness accounts -- letters, speeches,diaries, newspapers, poems, songs, memoirs -- to create setting, to show personality, political climate, to give voice to the attitudes and hopes of everyday Americans. The treatment of slavery is especially vivid. All the important events of the war are here, but the emphasis is on people, personalities, human feelings and behavior.As the historian Barbara Fields made clear in the Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War, the issues of that war are still with us. Perhaps never more than now do young people need to be exposed to the unfailing humanity, honesty, and political sagacity that allowed Lincoln to hold together a country racked by secession, racial hatred, and other divisions. Lincoln had that most uy76precious of all human qualities -- the capacity for growth. His life reminds us that any person can learn from experience and rise above poverty, prejudice, and limitation; and that a political leader can and must embody a profound respect forthe plain peopleand the democratic processes that elevate us all. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Human Side of Lincoln
For the first time, I came to know Lincoln not as an iconified hero, but as a funny, direct, engaging and committed human being as I read this book. The author has thorough notes of very detailed research and tells a story that others omitted or overlooked. It made me want to read much more about Lincoln, especially more of the piercing wit and emotional perseverance shared in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

For a long time, the main role of First Ladies was to act as hostesses of the White House...until Eleanor Roosevelt. Born in 1884, Eleanor was not satisfied to just be a glorified hostess for her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Eleanor had a voice, and she used it to speak up against poverty and racism. She had experience and knowledge of many issues, and fought for laws to help the less fortunate. She had passion, energy, and a way of speaking that made people listen, and she used these gifts to campaign for her husband and get him elected president—four times! A fascinating historical figure in her own right, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the role of First Lady forever. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An impressive and highly recommended life story
In Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?, biographer Gare Thompson reveals to young readers the impressive and highly recommended life story of one of the most influential women in American 20th Century history. Individual chapters begin with the question "Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?", and the continue on with "Early Years"; "Daddy's Little Girl"; "All Alone"; "Years at Allenswood"; "Cousin Franklin"; "Marriage and Children"; "Politics"; "White House Years"; and "Ambassador to the World". ... Read more

Book Description

Someone is planning to kill George Washington, and young Phoebe Fraunces is trying to save his life. Phoebe gets a job as George Washington's housekeeper, but her real job is to work as a spy. She listens and watches very carefully, and she meets her father every day to tell him what she has learned. One day Phoebe's father tells her that Washington is planning to leave town in a few days, and the person plotting against him will act before then. Phoebe is very frightened, but she is determined to figure out who is after Washington before it's too late. . . .

"This episode drawn from the Revolutionary War is related with historical accuracy and suspense and illustrated with finesse." (School Library Journal) ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Phoebe the Spy
Phoebe gets a job as a House keeper for George Washington , but she isn't a real house keeper. She's a spy for her father! Every afternoon she reports to her father what she has learned. One day her father tells her that George Washington is planning to leave town real soon. Phoebe is frightened by these words but is determined to find out who is after George Washington. I think this book is very interesting and you all should read it.

Phoebe the Spy
This book is about a girl named Phoebe,who lives in New York.When Phoebe was thirteen years old, her father Phoebe Fraunces was going to give her a very dangerous job. The job is that she's going to be a spy and she needs to spy on George Washington, the General of the United States army because they were going to kill him. This book took place in the past. This book started in 1776.

This book was very exciting and it is interesting to see the pictures that Judith Berry Griffin drew. I like how Judith Berry Griffin describes the characters. This book that Judith Berry Griffin wrote is cool and interesting because it talks about the past and how people live in that time. This book was one of the best books I have ever read.

Will Hickey get the General?
Phoebe
Phoebe Fraunces is a girl whose father, Samuel gave her a important misson to save General George Washington's life. The person who was trying to kill the General is named Thomas Hickey. If you want to know more, read the book.

Phoebe Finds Hickey
Ssmuel Fraunces asked his daughter, Phoebe to go out and be a spy and look for someone that has a name that starts with a letter T. She has to spy because whoever's name starts with T, will kill General Washington. Phoebe is afraid at first, but then she says yes when she hears that her dad is upset tht they were going to kill General Washington. I liked this history book because Phoebe was brave and willing to do what her father asked her to do.

Phoebe, the spy who is 13
Phoebe is a spy who is 13. In 1776 Phoebe got a job and that was to save General Washington. She had to look for a bodyguard who was trying to kill him. She was told that his first name started with the letter T. I really liked this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1894, Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, packed their belongings into their covered wagon and set out on a journey from De Smet, South Dakota, to Mansfield, Missouri. They heard that the soil there was rich and the crops were bountiful -- it was even called "the Land of the Big Red Apple." With hopes of beginning a new life, the Wilders made their way to the Ozarks of Missouri.

During their journey, Laura kept a detailed diary of events: the cities they passed through, the travelers they encountered on the way, the changing countryside and the trials of an often difficult voyage. Laura's words, preserved in this book, reveal her inner thoughts as she traveled with her family in search of a new home in Mansfield, where Rose would spend her childhood, where Laura would write her Little House books, and where she and Almanzo would remain all the rest of their happy days together.

Reviews (11)

The Wilder family moves
'On the Way Home' is Laura's diary as they traveled from DeSmet to their new home in Mansfield, Missouri. There are pictures included in this book that take you back to Laura's time and can make you feel even more like you know Laura.

This book is very interesting and is a quick read. The book starts with Rose Wilder Lane telling us about the events leading up to the Wilder's move to Missouri in 1894.

The majority of the book is Laura's actual diary. It begins on the day they set out (July 17, 1894) and continues through to the day they arrived in Mansfield (August 30, 1894). Laura includes in her entries things such as the temperature, what time they started in the morning, how many emigrant wagons they saw, what towns they drove through and what rivers and creeks they crossed. Laura also wrote down things that occurred along the way. For example, a lame horse, a lost dog, conversations with strangers and wading in creeks.

Also included in the book is a map of their journey. I found this interesting and referred