The Rough-Face Girl
The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin and David Shannon is the Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story. Two sisters of the Rough-Face Girl, named so because of the scars caused by fire ashes, want to marry the highly sought after Invisible Being. The only one who can marry this man, is the one who can see him. The Rough-Face Girl sees the invisible being, in all things around her, and is then transformed into a beautiful woman and the two are then married.The author and illustrator appear to have researched traditional dress, beliefs and culture to depict this fairy tale in an authentic manner.
Rating: 13/15
Curriculum Matches: Social Studies: Native Americans; Language Arts: folk tales, story elements.
Information on the Algonquin Indian Tribe click here.
Information on Algonquin Indian Tribes in Ohio click here.
Information about the authors click here and here.
Click on the file below to view a teacher created lesson plan using this book!
Rating: 13/15
Curriculum Matches: Social Studies: Native Americans; Language Arts: folk tales, story elements.
Information on the Algonquin Indian Tribe click here.
Information on Algonquin Indian Tribes in Ohio click here.
Information about the authors click here and here.
Click on the file below to view a teacher created lesson plan using this book!
| lesson_plan_for_cinderella_stories.docx |
Jose! Born to Dance
Susanna Reich, 2005. This picture-book biography tells of Jose Limon’s life from his birth in Mexico to his triumphs as a world-famous choreographer. Jose’s early childhood introduced him to the theater as he observed his father at work. When he was five years old a civil war broke out in Mexico and Jose’s family headed to the United States. In elementary school Jose’s classmates laughed at his poor English. This only gave Jose the determination he needed to success. As an adult Jose moves to New York City to live among the artists. Be prepared to be inspired by hard work and determination!
Total Score: 13/15
Curriculum Matches: Mexican Civil War, Tolerance, and Determination
To learn more about Jose Limon’s visit www.limon.org, www.limon.tv/index.html and www.lpbp.org/limon/dancer.htm. You might also be interested in Jose Limon: An Unfinished Memoir or Dance Is a Moment: A Portrait of Jose Limon in Words and Pictures.
Total Score: 13/15
Curriculum Matches: Mexican Civil War, Tolerance, and Determination
To learn more about Jose Limon’s visit www.limon.org, www.limon.tv/index.html and www.lpbp.org/limon/dancer.htm. You might also be interested in Jose Limon: An Unfinished Memoir or Dance Is a Moment: A Portrait of Jose Limon in Words and Pictures.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O’Dell, Illustrated by Ted Lewin, 1960
A Native American girl names Korana lives alone on San Nicolas Island, California. This historical fiction dipicts her heart-wrenching adventures of survival, lonliness and courage in isolation off the Pacific.
Total Score: 15/15
Curriculum Materials: Survival, Native American Culture, Map skills
Resources to Teach:
Click here for information about San Nicolas Island
Click here to learn more about Native Americans Click here to learn more about the author, Scott O’Dell
The Lost Voyage of John Cabot
Henry Garfield, 2004. In 1498, John Cabot starts his journey with his two older sons to beat Cokumbus to a western route to Asia. His son, Sebastian,15, remains in England awaiting their return and receives letters from their travels. Garfield ties the mystery of the Cabot’s journey to the era of exploration.
Total Score: 14/15
Curriculum Connection: Explorers, History of North America
Resources to Teach: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/cabot1497.html
http://www.reformation.org/cabotia.html
Total Score: 14/15
Curriculum Connection: Explorers, History of North America
Resources to Teach: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/cabot1497.html
http://www.reformation.org/cabotia.html
Fever 1793
Laurie Halse Anderson. 2000. This book is a journey of a girl named Mattie who is dealing with the outbreak of Yellow Fever. The outbreak turns her world upside down and she is forced to move away from her mother who has been hit with the fever. She leaves with her grandfather to escape, but soon realizes that the fever is everywhere. This story is about her strength and survival during this feverish frantic time!
Rubric Score: 14/15
Curriculum Match: History, Yellow Fever; Science, Medicine; Character, courage and hope
Resources to Teach: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm for an eye witness account of the Yellow Fever of 1793
http://www.debbimichikoflorence.com/author_interviews/2002/LaurieHalseAnderson.html for an interview with the author
http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/akm/lessons/yellowFever for city history from Philadelphia
Rubric Score: 14/15
Curriculum Match: History, Yellow Fever; Science, Medicine; Character, courage and hope
Resources to Teach: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm for an eye witness account of the Yellow Fever of 1793
http://www.debbimichikoflorence.com/author_interviews/2002/LaurieHalseAnderson.html for an interview with the author
http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/akm/lessons/yellowFever for city history from Philadelphia
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Mildred D. Taylor, 1991. This is a story about a black family who has the strength to defy rural Southern racism during the Depression. It is the land that gives Cassie and her family courage and pride. It is something that they own and that cannot be taken away. Read more to find out about the struggles this family endures while staying true to themselves as well as each other.
Total score: 15/15
Resources to teach:
Click here to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement
Click here to learn more abut the Great Depression.
Click here to find out more about the author.
Total score: 15/15
Resources to teach:
Click here to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement
Click here to learn more abut the Great Depression.
Click here to find out more about the author.
Bud, Not Buddy
Christopher Paul Curtis, 1999. This heart-wrenching story is about an orphan boy trying to find links to his family. Bud's mother died when he was young. The story begins with Bud living in an orphanage in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression era. He then shares tales from moving in with a horrible foster family, running away, his friendship with the town librarian, and finally how he carries on looking for a Jazz Musician who he believes his father to be. Through Bud's adventures readers learn about the rules he has devised for his life, "to Have a Funner Life and Make a Better Liar Out of Yourself." Read the story to learn more about the African-American tale of Bud, searching for his family and learning more about himself.
Total Score: 15/15
Curriculum matches: The Great Depression, Jazz Music, Racism
Resources to teach: Click here to learn more information about the Great Depression. Click here to view further information about jazz music. Click here to learn more about racism as well as countries beyond the US that have racial tensions.
Total Score: 15/15
Curriculum matches: The Great Depression, Jazz Music, Racism
Resources to teach: Click here to learn more information about the Great Depression. Click here to view further information about jazz music. Click here to learn more about racism as well as countries beyond the US that have racial tensions.
Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains
Deborah Hopkinson, 2004. In this tall-tale, Delicious, a young girl, tells the story of her family’s journey from Iowa to Oregon in the 1800s. Delicious shares many events that take place throughout their journey, including building a raft, surviving a hailstorm, and searching for a water hole.The author's note explains that this story is based loosely on Henderson Luelling, a pioneer who really did transport plants and fruit trees to Oregon in 1847.
Total Score: 11/15
Curriculum Matches: Oregon Trail, Pioneers, Family, Orchard, Henderson Luelling (Lewelling)
Resources to Teach: Click here to learn more information about the Oregon Trail. Click here to view a map of the Oregon Trail. Click here to learn more about Henderson Luelling.
Total Score: 11/15
Curriculum Matches: Oregon Trail, Pioneers, Family, Orchard, Henderson Luelling (Lewelling)
Resources to Teach: Click here to learn more information about the Oregon Trail. Click here to view a map of the Oregon Trail. Click here to learn more about Henderson Luelling.
Encounter
Jane Yolen, 1992. Whether you refer to it as Columbus Day or Discoverer’s Day, October 12, 1492 marked a fateful visit for the people of San Salvador. Told from an indigenous boy’s point of view, Yolen uses historical records to tell the story of the near annihilation of the Taino Indians.
Total Score: 13 /15
Curriculum: Social Studies, American History, Geography, European History
Resources to Teach:
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day
http://www.healing-arts.org/spider/tainoindians.htm
http://www.geographia.com/bahamas/bsssin01.htm
Total Score: 13 /15
Curriculum: Social Studies, American History, Geography, European History
Resources to Teach:
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day
http://www.healing-arts.org/spider/tainoindians.htm
http://www.geographia.com/bahamas/bsssin01.htm
