Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam

Bibliographic information: 

Stanley, Diane.  Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam.  HarperCollinsPublishers, 2002, p. 47

Brief plot description:

Saladin was born in Takrit.  He was originally named Yusuf ibn Ayyub.  He was born into a Muslim family that follows Muslim practices.  His name changes to Saladin.  He joins the army and is sent to Egypt where he takes over as vizier.  Saladin makes a trap for King Guy and his troops, yet the Muslims are conquered or captured by King Guy.  Saladin’s troops go after the Holy City, which surrenders to Saladin.  He is very respectful to the People of the Book, thus treats all captives respectfully.  The people of Jerusalem must pay off their ransom to live freely.  Conrad takes hold of Tyre and won’t let Guy into the city.  King Guy then moves his attention to Acre, where Saladin’s army currently is.  Acre surrenders to the Christians, led by Richard the Lionheart.  Saladin marries Ismat, a widow of Nur al-Din, who he comes to love.  Saladin dies on March 4, 1193.

Brief review:

I like this book because it shows a great story of an Islamic king and a great leader.  Not many people read books about other kings outside of the famous English kings.  This book brings a new element to the different kings of the world and they’re respected cultures.  I think this book would be great for fourth through fifth graders as a read aloud or individual read.  I think that this book could be used as a resource book for the crusaders or the Islamic world.

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

4^th-5^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Merlin and the Making of the King by Margaret Hodges

The Legend of the Wandering King by Laura Gallego Garcia

The Story of Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark

Bibliographic information: 

Rowland, Della.  The Story of Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark.  Dell Publishing, 1989, illlus. Leonard, Richard, p. 92. 

Brief plot description:

Sacajawea was known by her people the Shoshoni, as Huichu meaning Little Bird.  She lived in the Bitterroot Mountains and her people were a nomadic people.  Sacajawea was captured by the Minnetarees along with one of her friends and taken across the Great Plains.  She was with this tribe for three years before they sold her to a white trapper to be his wife, Toussaint Charbonneau.  In 1804, the Corps of Discovery visited the Minnetaree and Mandan chiefs for an interpreter.  These choose her; her husband would come with her.  Along the way she gave birth to their son.  They made it to the Shoshoni tribe where she was reunited with several people from her childhood.  Clark was taken to see Cameahwait who is Sacajawea’s brother.  The discussions that went on in the tepee went through four translations before Lewis and Clark could understand.  Where else will the corp go? 

Brief review:

I liked this book because it had great information in it.  The book did seem a bit boring as far as a story, but the information was good.  It has illustrations that are in black and white and are sketches that help tell the story.  The book also contains a table of contents and a map of the journey.  I think that this story could be used for fourth through seventh graders.  I think that it could be used as a guide or resource when studying Sacajawea or the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  I would not suggest reading the whole book all the way through unless one is really interested in learning the facts of Sacajawea and the Corp.

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

4^th- 7^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac

Sky Dancers by Connie Ann Kirk

Awards:

1990 Maine Student Book Master List 

The Story of Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All

Bibliographic information: 

Arthur, Joe.  The Story of Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All.  Yearling Book, 1995, p.  108. 

Brief plot description:

How would you feel if you were growing up in a racist world?  Thurgood faced just that, he grew up in Maryland during the 1920’s where segregation was common.  Thurgood was brought up to fight when someone called him a bad name, and that is what Thurgood did one day.  This was not the first time that a Marshall had stood up for their rights.  His grandfather caused trouble for his master while his grandmother led a sit down strike.  It was Thurgood’s father that influenced him into being a lawyer.  He went to Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he graduated with honors.  Thurgood started his own practice in Baltimore and never turned down a case no matter how much money he was losing and then he was asked to be the NAACP assistant special counsel.  What else would Thurgood do in his life?

Brief review:

I liked this book because it gave a story of a great man that helped redefine the school system and because it gave examples of other African Americans that tried to bring equality to their race.  I think that this book could be used in fifth through seventh grade.  The book could be used during Black History Month, when discussing the law or constitution, or when talking about great leaders in U.S. history.  I believe that the main idea that children should get from this book is that discrimination of any form is wrong and that one should stand up for their rights. 

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

5^th- 7^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Thurgood Marshall, Champion of Justice by G. S. Prentzas

Thurgood Marshall: Champion for Civil Rights by Wil Mara

The Double Life of Pocahontas

Bibliographic information: 

Fritz, Jean.  The Double Life of Pocahontas.  Puffin Books, 1983, p. 96.

Brief plot description:

What is the real story of Pocahontas?  Pocahontas lives in the village of Werowocomoco located in Virginia in 1607 and the English set up a fort at Jamestown.  John Smith is taken captive by Pocahontas’ people and she is to save him from death so that her father can get weapons.  The weapons aren’t given to them and they begin to fight each other.  Powhatan plans to kill John, but his first plan fails.  Pocahontas was kidnapped by the settlers who wanted a ransom, but her father doesn’t send enough.  Pocahontas gave up hope and began to listen more to the Christian ways of the Europeans.  John Rolfe also helped Pocahontas be Christianized or Europeanized.  John Rolfe began to have feelings for Pocahontas but he knew he shouldn’t like her.  Finally John decided he wanted to marry Pocahontas.  What does the rest of Pocahontas’ life include?

Brief review:

I really like this book because it tells in detail the life of Pocahontas, the other natives, and the English settlers.  I think that this book could be used for fifth through eighth grade classes.  It would be good to use when talking about Jamestown or other settlements of the United States by Europeans.  This book could be used in a small group or individually.  The main idea of this book is to show how one woman changed the settlers, and how she changed knowing European ways.  The book does include a note, bibliography, and index that will help the reader understand the book and life of Pocahontas.    

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

5^th- 8^th grade

Character names/descriptions:

Pocahontas- 11 years old

Powhatan- Pocahontas’ father

John Smith- 27 years old

Captain Kocoum – 14 years old; marries Pocahontas

John Rolfe- marries Pocahontas

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac

The Navajo by Geraldine Woods

North American Indian: The Hands- On Approach to History by David Hamilton Murdoch

Awards:

Boston Globe/ Horn Book Nonfiction Award, 1984

ALA Notable Book

My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bibliographic information:

Farris, Christine King.  My brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Scholastic, Inc, 2003, illus. Soentpiet, Chris, p. 39.

Brief plot description:

Have you ever wondered what Martin Luther King’s childhood was like?  The story, written by Martin’s sister, begins by telling the story of Christine and Martin’s birth in their grandparent’s house.  They grew up in an Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood of Sweet Auburn where there was only one white family who owned a store.  She tells how their dad and mom were not always home, and how they were raised by their grandmother and aunt.  One day the white boys told Martin that they couldn’t play with them anymore because they were black.  That day marked the beginning into the cruel and unfair world that the blacks had to face.  Their parents told them stories about what Africans couldn’t do and their experiences with white people.  Martin won prizes and had several speeches and marches to get his message out to others.  The story ends with Martin having a dream and that dream changed everything. 

Brief review:

I really enjoyed this book because it was a real description of Martin’s childhood.  The book could be used on Martin’s birthday, when talking about the conditions of the 60s, or during Black History month.  The illustrations in this book are wonderfully done and make the story come to life.  The main idea of this book is that Martin didn’t have a dream when he was born, but he developed one when he realized the conditions that he and his family were living in.  Included in the book are several illustrations in rich colors and detailed images including some of the marches and Martin’s “I have a dream” speech and some photographs of a young Martin.  After reading the Afterword, I believe that this story is very important for children to read because it comes from a family member who knew the real Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

4^th - 7^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

The Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ira Peck

I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King by Margaret Davidson

Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman

Awards:

ABC Children’s Bookseller’s Choices

CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Arizona Young Reader Book Award Nominee

Ready, Aim, Fire! The Real Adventure of Annie Oakley

Bibliographic information:

Levine, Ellen.  Ready, Aim, Fire! The Real Adventure of Annie Oakley.  Scholastic, Inc, 1989, p.132.

Brief plot description:

Annie is the oldest child of seven, and lives in North Star, Ohio.  Her father dies and her mother sends some of the children away.  Annie learned to shoot animals with her papa’s gun, and she was successful.  Annie was sent to Mrs. Edington where she worked and went to school for a short time.  Annie got on a train to go home where the man next to her paid for her ticket.  She got home and was happy and went back out to hunt with the gun.  Charlie Katzenberger offered to pay her for all the game she could bring in and Annie agreed.  A hotel manger gets Frank Butler to compete in a shooting contest against Annie, and Annie beats Frank even though Frank is the best.  One day Frank’s partner was sick so Annie took his place and they were so good together that they became a team.  What does Annie’s life include? 

Brief review:

I liked this book because it shows the real life of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler.  It provides great detail in telling Annie’s life story.  Along with the text, the book has several photographs and drawing in the book that shows the real Annie and Frank.  I think that this book could be used as an individual read for tweens in fifth through seventh grades.  It could be used when talking about famous women in history, famous shooters in history, or when talking about Annie Oakley.  It gives a real version of Annie’s life versus the glamorized versions presented in movies and television.   

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

5^th-7^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Bull’s-Eye: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley by Sue Macy

A Shooting Star: A Novel about Annie Oakley by Sheila Solomon Klass

Annie Oakley: Legendary Sharpshooter

Subjects/themes:

Women’s history