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

Schools of Hope

Schools of Hope: How Julius Rosenwald Helped Change African American Education by Norman H. Finkelstein

In the early 1900s it was very difficult for an African American child to receive a good education in the southern United States.  Actually, it was difficult for African American children to receive any type of education. Booker T. Washington saw the lack of education as a huge problem since the lack of education meant a lack of opportunities.  Mr. Washington worked with older students in advance studies, but there was nothing in place for the youngest of children.  He tried to get people with money, power, and influence to help with this problem without much luck.  But his luck changed when he met Julius Rosenwald.  Julius Rosenwald was a very unlikely friend to the cause of educating African American children in the South.  Julius Rosenwald was a rich Jewish man from Chicago who happened to be the CEO of the Sears Roebuck Company. He was EXTREMELY wealthy, and he believed in the philosophy of "live to give".  He wanted to use his money to help as many people as possible. But he had one important requirement if you wanted his money and help; the person or group requesting help needed to help, too.  If a community wanted a new school, then the community had to help raise money and help build the school.  This became a huge opportunity for poor African American families giving their children the education that they never had.  These schools were built over decades. By the time the last school was built, over 5,000 schools had been built where there were once no opportunities, and ALL of Julius Rosenwald's money was gone.  And that's just what Mr. Rosenwald wanted to happen.  To learn more about Julius Rosenwald and his schools visit, http://www.historysouth.org/schoolhistory.html, http://www.searsarchives.com/history/questions/rosenwald.htm, or http://www.savingplaces.org/treasures/rosenwald-schools#.VBh7AKTD-1s.

 

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

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair by Kathleen Krull

Imagine carrying a birdcage on your head with a live bird inside; that is what Marie Antoinette and the women at the palace did in France around 1785.  Do you know why the bathroom is sometimes called "the powder room?"  If someone was called a "big wig" would you know what that meant?  This book gives a very entertaining history of hair from prehistoric Africa to the millennium.  Find out the answers above and more by reading Big Wig. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen
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Worst of Friends by S. Tripp Jurmain

This is the true story of how two opposites became the best of friends.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had so much respect for each other that their differences brought them together as close friends.  Unfortunately, their opinions in government drove them apart for 11 years.  Learn how two former presidents with extreme personalities helped shape a nation and a friendship.  How did they mend their rift? Did forgiveness reestablish their friendship?

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

Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock by Claire Rudolf Murphy

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

After reading Al Capone Does My Shirts, I wanted to know more about the children who lived on Alcatraz. This book gives a history of the island from as early as the 1700's to the present. In all stages of history children have grown up on the island. The island was used by the U.S. Army as a military post and a military prison . Then it became the U.S. Penitentiary and now it is a National Historic Park. Read how there was a lighthouse and the children helped keep the light burning for the sailors. Learn how children entertained themselves and how there was even a bowling alley on the island.

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again, by Juliana and Isabella Hatkoff

Reviewed by Mrs. Bailey at Okte

Everyone who saw this book at Okte just loved it! It was so popular that many of the children who wanted to read it out never got to--it was always checked out!

Winter is an Atlantic bottle nosed dolphin who lost his tail in an accident. A special prosthetic, or artificial tail, was made for him to see if he could ever swim like the other dolphins again. Winter surprised everyone with his ability to adapt to his artificial tail and the determination he showed to learn how to use it during his training sessions.

This picture book is filled with wonderful photos of Winter and the special conservationists who rescued him and the aquatic veterinarians who nursed him back to health.

Welcome to the Shen Kids Read Blog!

Your Shenendehowa Elementary librarians would like to share some books with you! Check back here on this blog to see some of the great reading choices for elementary students. We hope that you will enjoy reading for fun this summer and any time during the year!
We would like to see your comments, but please remember to only post your first name and last initial in order to keep safe on the web.

Walk-Around Tacos and Other Likeable Lunches by Nick Fauchald

Reviewed by Ms. Pierce at Tesago

Attention future chefs and hungry students everywhere - looking to make some fun and easy food? Grab the Walk-Around Tacos cookbook and hit the kitchen! These recipes are yummy and the instructions are clear. The beginning of the books lists all of the tools you will need to cook with and each recipe has step by step instructions and illustrations to help you out. So, the next time you're hungry grab this book and make some Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes, Nutty Butter Triangles, Super Hero Subs or (my favorite) Puffy Pizza Rolls!

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.

Marley: A Dog Like No Other, by John Grogan

Reviewed by Mrs. Bailey at Okte


Perhaps you have seen adults reading a book called Marley and Me, by this same author. The story of Marley was so popular, that the author decided to write a book about his dog just for kids. Marley is a yellow Labrador retriever who eats just about anything and is always getting into trouble for stealing underwear and crashing into screen doors. He is a ton of work for his family to take care of, but he also teaches them lessons about what really matters in life. This is a true story!