Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

When the American colonists decided to rebel against British rule in the hopes of becoming an independent country, many men left their homes to join General Washington and the Continental Army.  Most of these volunteers were young men and older boys.  There was one important exception to this unwritten rule and his name was Christopher Ludwick.  He was born in Germany, learned to be a baker, spent time in the Austrian and Prussian armies, and eventually settled in Philadelphia and married.  In Philadelphia he became a successful and generous baker.  When the American Revolution began he wanted to help defend the new country he loved.  Some people thought he was too old to help the Continental Army, but George Washington had a special job that only Christopher could do.  Not only would Christopher become one of the main bakers for the entire Continental Army, but Christopher could speak in German to the soldiers who were hired by the British king to fight the colonists.  As a result, many of these Hessian soldiers decided to change sides and join the Continental Army.  Christopher Ludwick is a little known American hero who more people should learn about.  To learn more about Christopher Ludwick visit http://www.immigrantentrepreneurship.org/entry.php?rec=175.

enormous SMALLNESS: A Story of E. E. Cummings

enormous SMALLNESS: A Story of E. E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Kris DiGiacomo

In October of 1894 a baby was born to a family in Massachusetts.  He was named Edward Cummings after his father, but his family called him Estlin.  It was the dawn of a new century and there was new art and technology all around the world to fascinate a young boy. But, with everything around him, he was still interested in simpler things like birds and nature. Even at a young age he would describe what he saw and how he felt in such a beautiful way that his mother started writing his thoughts on paper when he was only three.  He graduated from college with a degree in literature, but before he could really concentrate on his future career he joined the military where he was sent to France as an ambulance driver during World War I.  After the war he remained in France for a few years, but when he was done experiencing Europe he moved back home.  He settled in New York City where he began writing.  He experimented with different forms of poetry.  Some people didn't know what to make of his style, but many people loved his new style of expression.  As time went on he went from being known as Estlin Cummings to e. e. cummings, one of the most famous and influential poets in 20th Century America.  If you are interested in learning more about e. e. cummings then visit http://www.biography.com/people/ee-cummings-9263274 or http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/146466/E-E-Cummings.  

Shared by Mrs. Manore at Orenda

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog by Former Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter and photographs by Dan

Dion

Everyday dogs help people with their lives.  Some dogs help the blind, some dogs help people in wheelchairs, some dogs work with the police, and some dogs help soldiers who have come home from wars with injuries.  Tuesday is one of these dogs.  Every day he helps Luis complete everyday tasks.  These tasks are what some people would consider easy; tasks like getting out of bed, traveling to and from work, and talking to others.  This may sound easy, but without Tuesday Luis would have a very hard time.  Tuesday makes life easier.  To learn more about Tuesday visit, http://www.tuesdaytucksmein.com.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

What would you do if you loved to swim, but no one was supposed to see you in a bathing suit?  Well, this was the problem for Queen Victoria.  During the 1800s women, especially the Queen of England, were expected to be very proper in their looks and their behaviors.  It would have been very inappropriate for any woman to be seen wearing a bathing suit.  But, Queen Victoria loved to swim.  Luckily for her she had her own knight (err, prince) in shining armor to help with this problem.  To learn more about Queen Victoria's bathing machine visit, http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/osborne/beach/queen-victoria.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Lily Renee, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer

Lily Renee, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer by Trina Robbins and illustrated by Anne Timmons and Mo Oh

During the 1930s life in Vienna, Austria was wonderful for Lily Renee.  Days filled with family, friends, school, museums, the theater…a typical life for a girl from a wealthy family.  But in 1939, everything changed when Austria joined Germany under the leadership of the Nazi Party.  After that, Lily’s life was in danger.  She was in danger because she was Jewish and the Nazi Party did NOT like people of Jewish descent.  The only way for Lily to be safe was to leave Austria, but she would have to leave without her parents.  Would Lily be brave enough to save her life without her parents with her, would the Nazi Party let Lily and hundreds of other Jewish children leave Austria, and would her love be enough to save her own parents if she left Austria?  Only time would tell.  To learn more about Lily Renee visit, http://www.nywici.org/features/blogs/aloud/womens-history-month-lily-renee-wilhelm---holocaust-survivor-comic-book-pioneer.

 

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

 

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

Have you ever watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?  Did you like the music, the floats, the balloons?  Did you ever wonder why this parade (and very few others) uses balloons?  Who came up with the idea of using balloons?  That person was Tony Sarg, a well know puppeteer from Europe who was encouraged by R. H. Macy.  Tony Sarg helped with the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 1924.  But, there weren’t any giant balloons in this first parade.  Instead, there were real animals from the Central Park Zoo.  Soon after, Mr. Macy gave Tony Sarg a new challenge for the parade.  Replace the live animals!  We know that today’s parade has huge balloons, but how did a puppeteer go from marionettes hanging below strings to balloons floating above strings?  To learn more about Tony Sarg visit, http://www.michenermuseum.org/bucksartists/artist.php?artist=234.   Or, to find more interesting books by Melissa Sweet visit, http://melissasweet.net/.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill Elmurry

Once, a long time ago there lived a little girl named Katherine Olivia Sessions.  Katherine lived at a time when little girls were supposed to behave, stay quiet, not play in the woods, and just be PROPER.  But, even though it was the 1860s, Katherine was allowed to ask questions, play in the woods, and eventually even attend college.  Katherine loved nature and especially plants.  In 1881 she became the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science.  Her first job was in San Diego, a desert town.  What would she do?  To learn more about Katherine Olivia Sessions and what she did for San Diego visit, http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/sessions/sessions.htm or http://womensmuseumca.org/hall-of-fame/kate-sessions.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, by Peg Kehret

When children's author Peg Kehret was 12 years old, she was stricken with an illness called polio that left her temporarily paralyzed. Polio is a highly contagious disease that most people are now vaccinated against. But in 1949, young Peg was one of the 42,000 cases reported in the United States. One morning when she woke up, Peg had trouble moving her legs, and her back hurt. Before she knew it, she was unable to speak and even breathe. She was put in a special hospital with other children who had polio, and her long fight for life and health began. Read about Peg's journey and even what she deals with today with post-polio syndrome. The painful process of healing during her teen years left lasting impressions on this writer that are shared in a very readable way. One of our fifth grade teachers read this book out loud to her class, and they all thought it was a fabulous story and a great way to read about a part of our history that affected many children and adults. Peg Kehret is the author of many exciting books for older readers. Reviewed by Mrs. Bailey from Okte

Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the best of friends but they had different personalities that made them unique and strengthened their comradeship.  One thing united them both; their belief in creating a new government and nation and breaking away from British rule.  Join these two patriots and friends on their journey toward forming the United States of America.  

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

Prisoners for Liberty by Marty Rhodes Figley

James Forten was a free African American who worked as a sail-maker during the American Revolution in Philadelphia.  He joined in the fighting for liberty aboard the Royal Louis ship on the American side.  The ship was conquered by the British and James was taken aboard their ship as a prisoner of war.  Would he be sold into slavery?  Would he ever see his home again?  Read this true story to find out...

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

Seed By Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John Appleseed Chapman by Esme Raji Codell

Can you change a nation one seed at a time?  That is what John Chapman did and it was no small task. Also known as Johnny Appleseed, he traveled by foot and gave seeds to the frontier settlers.  John loved to tell stories but his greatest belief was to have respect for nature, animals and to live in peace.  

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, by Sarah Miller

What would posess a young teacher to want to give up her own life to help a little girl who could neither see, hear or talk?
 When Annie Sullivan first met Helen, she was like a wild child, allowed to throw violent temper tantrums to get what she wanted.  Annie Sullivan even had teeth knocked out by Helen in one of her rages!  Annie was unwilling to give up, even when she was told by the family that she was being too harsh.  But what saved Helen and opened doors for her was the ability to communicate that Annie was determined to give her.  Helen had met her match in Annie Sullivan, who was called Miss Spitfire when she was a girl.  Find out what events in Annie's life led her to her own deep understanding of the what lonlieness could be like.
Reviewed by Mrs. Bailey from Okte

Sarah Emma Edmonds Was A Great Pretender: the True Story of a Civil War Spy by Carrie Jones

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Are you daring, courageous and bold? Have you pretended to be someone you are not? You may be a risk-taker like Sarah Emma Edmonds. In 1841, Sarah was born in Canada. She always had a sense of adventure. Her father always wanted a son and Sarah new that boys had more freedom than girls. When she grew older, Sarah cut her hair short, dressed as a man and pretended to be a Bible salesman. In 1861, during the Civil War, Sarah became a male nurse and helped the Union Army. Using silver nitrate to darken her skin, she pretended to be an African-American male while she was spying against the Confederate soldiers. She was very versatile in the acting roles she played when she posed as an Irish peddler woman and an African-American laundress woman to gain information about the war. Nothing would stop Sarah except a visit to the hospital where she feared being discovered. Read more about the bravery and patriotism of this unique person named Sarah Emma Edmonds.

The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson by Ann McGovern

Reviewed by Ms. Gulotta-Bruno from Arongen

Deborah Sampson was destined to do great things. In 1765, her mother left her at five-years-old because she could not care for her. She was sent around to different families. At eight, she very much wanted to learn and go to school and to keep a diary. After being a servant for a family, she gained her freedom in 1778 and became a teacher. But Deborah Sampson craved adventure and a life of her own. She wanted to be a soldier. So she put her plan into action, bought men’s clothes and pretended to be a man. After testing out her plan to see if she went unnoticed, she enlisted in the Continental Army for three years as a soldier named Robert Shurtliff. What if her secret is discovered? She could get wounded and be forced to reveal the truth? To find out more about the life of Deborah Sampson and the courage and bravery she had to live out her dreams read this great biography by Ann McGovern.