CYBILS 2009 - The American Revolution From A to Z

When I agreed to be a panelist for the Cybils nonfiction/informational picture book category, I'm not sure I realized how much work it might entail. However, there is most definitely a silver lining to this extra work -- recently, I arrive home and find packages of books on my front door stoop. Talk about dying and going to heaven!!! Just today I came home after school, and found 3 packages (6 books) waiting for me. I truly appreciate the trouble to which the publishers of the nominated books have gone to make sure the panelists are all able to read each and every nominee. Thanks so much!

One of my finds today was The American Revolution From A to Z by Laura Crawford and illustrated by Judith Hierstein (this review copy is compliments of Pelican Publishing Company). I was immediately drawn to this book for two reasons: 1) I love to see how different authors organize their informational ABC books, and 2) as a 5th grade teacher, I spend some time each year investigating the causes of the American Revolution with my students.

Laura Crawford does a nice job sharing information with the reader. The American Revolution From A to Z is full of good details that will both reinforce concepts about the Revolution, as well as expand the knowledge my students already have.

I'm not sure whose decision it was -- the author, Crawford, or the illustrator, Hierstein, but I thought the lettering of "A is for ..." that introduces each new page was extremely well done, and tied the book together. For lack of a better description, I'll call it a colonial script - it even looks like it was done with a quill pen.

I'm impressed with the manner Crawford has chosen the essential parts of each topic to share, without making the reader feel either overwhelmed or under-informed.

The American Revolution From A to Z will be a great addition to other Revolutionary War picture books I've already collected. It will also be a great mentor text for student writers who want to take a nonfiction topic and write an ABC book about it. This book provides many great examples of how to combine informative text with detailed pictures.

Independent Dames by Laure Halse Anderson

Fifth grade history teachers, you are going to love this book! One of the tough things about some of the history standards we had to teach was finding appropriate sources. We had to teach about the women's role in the American Revolution, and beyond Molly Pitcher, which I learned was a legend from this book, it was tough to find others.

Laurie Halse Anderson, the author of Fever, another of my favorite historical fiction titles, has this new book illustrated by Matt Faulkner. So much information in so few pages. Each page spread discusses the different roles played by women in the fight for independence. Typical roles such as doing laundry, mending and sewing uniforms and non typical roles such as spying and posing as men and fighting. The author provides plenty of detailed examples of each and the illustrator provides colorful drawings with speech bubble depicting the "dames" in action. Kids are going to love the format, and I guarantee the teachers will learn right along with them.

Anderson includes the usual, Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Sybil Ludington. Also included are the unfamiliar Ann Bailey who enlisted under the name Samuel Gay in Massachusetts and reached the rank of corporal.

Who knew that at age 9 Susan Boudinot had her own "tea party" by dumping a cup of British tea out the window of the Royal Governor of New Jersey's mansion, and she didn't even hide behind an Mohawk Indian disguise!

Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman took forty warriors and delivered 600 baskets of food to the troops at Valley Forge and stayed behind to serve as a cook for General Washington, refusing payment.

These Independent Dames were heroes and this book is ABSOLUTELY a valuable resource to elementary history teachers.

More reviews at The Reading Zone, I.N.K., and Young Readers.

Colonial Voices Planning the Boston Tea Party

The new book shelf at my branch of the library is one of my favorite places to go each time I visit. I have found many great titles there, and most of them have appeared here at one point or another. Colonial Voices Hear Them Speak by Kay Winters is another surprise find for me.

The story is written from the viewpoint of the craftsmen, shopkeepers, citizens and slaves of Boston in December 16, 1773. An errand boy for a Patriot newspaper tours the city, visiting each person who gives their story and perspective on independence leading up to the Boston Tea Party.

Each Bostonian is represented in an almost free verse poetry and their opinions are expressed loud and clear through the authors strong vocabulary. For example, the blacksmith's slave says:


Men sit in his shop and talk of tea,
taxes, liberty, and freedom.

FREEDOM FOR THEM, BUT NOT FOR ME.

Strong opinions which will lead to great discussion in the classroom. As a former fifth grade teacher I can see endless possibilities for this book and the writing that could come from it.

From the Native American basket trader:

We will not fight their battle. It matters not who wins or loses. OUR PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY LOST.

I love this Native American perspective of the Revolution that many times gets lost in the classroom.

From the Son of Liberty in Old South Meeting House:

"NAY!"roars the crowd. "NAY!!!!" Sam Adams stands up and pounds the gavel. "THIS MEETING CAN DO NO MORE TO SAVE THE COUNTRY."

OK, I may be a cornball, but I got goosebumps every time I read this quote in Johnny Tremain.

Larry Day's beautiful illustrations show life as it was in Colonial Boston and the book has plenty of non-fiction information like an errand boy's daily schedule, a glossary of terms, and a map of Colonial Boston which is fun to compare with a map of present day Boston.

As a fan of all things American Revolutionary, and Boston, this book will be hitting the library shelves in the fall.