Hurry Freedom

 


Hurry Freedom: African Americans in Gold Rush California

Jerry Stanley          Published in 2000    96 pages


Hurry Freedom touches upon the experience of African Americans who migrated to California during the Gold Rush. It details their struggle against discrimination in this environment and highlights some early civil rights activism in the state.The author uses the facinating stories of  Mifflin Gibbs and Peter Lester in order to provide a coherent narrative to the book.

Additionally, this book features a wealth of information about early San Francisco.

Zombies Meet Newton

 

Zombies and Forces and Motion  By Mark Weakland    Published in 2012     32 pages


This is the most engaging volume of Capstone's Monster Science series. Zombies are used to explain Newton's Laws of Motion in a graphic novel format.

This title works well as a read aloud if the students are in close proximity. Alternately, you can project the pages for a large audience.

Kids fervently ask for this book. I anticipate that this title will be one of those that is perpetually checked out.

The zombies hook a wide cross section of readers who would not even consider checking out a book about forces and motion.

Digger

 

 

Digger: The Tragic Fate of the California Indians From the Missions to the Gold Rush

 

By Jerry Stanley    Published in 1997      128 pages

 

 

Sugar cube mission projects and sugar coated mission mythology are standard fare for many schools. 

This book provides a welcome antidote in an accessible package. This counter narrative details the forced labor, cultural and physical devastation that were wrought on California Natives during this time period.

 

Also, the Gold Rush is all too often presented in romantic terms, and even when a more realistic view is entertained, it frequently omits the perspective and experiences of the California Natives. This book helps fill those gaps. 

 

Unfortunately, there is a dearth of books on this subject that are accessible to upper elementary school students. Though this book isn't perfect, it is the best that I have seen thus far. Sections of the book can be used to balance omissions that are found in the typical narrative.  

Flaming Sword of Samoa

Flaming Sword of Samoa: The Story of the Samoan Fire Knife Dance by Freddie Letuli & Patricia Letuli    115 pages  Published in 2004


Samoan books are very difficult to find, and there is a great need for them in our schools. Freddie Letuli originated the Samoan Fire Knife Dance at an event in Golden Gate Park in 1947. He served as an ambassador for Samoan culture as he performed all over the world. This gorgeous book provides a fascinating view of the history of this dance and showcases some of the moves that are used. The book also provides an interesting view of the author's movie career as well. This book usually circulates non-stop.    

Never Smile at a Monkey

By
Steve Jenkins












This is a fun nonfiction read-aloud that presents information on what not to do around 18 different dangerous animals and what they might do if they feel threatened or trapped. The book also includes an index in the back with more information about each animal discussed in the book. A very engaging book that kids always love.

The Salamander Room

By: Anne Mazer
Illustrated By: Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher











A beautifully illustrated book telling the story of a boy who finds a salamander in the woods and takes it home to live in his room. The boy then explains to his mother how he will keep the salamander alive by creating a habitat in his bedroom, detailing everything he will need until his room is turned into the woods where he found the salamander. A great book for teaching about habitat and the interconnection of nature.

How Groundhog's Garden Grew

By Lynne Cherry
2003

A great picture book about groundhog growing a garden and the help he gets from his animal friends. This books provides engaging and accurate information on how a garden grows from seed to harvesting and eating. A great read-aloud for grades k-5.