New Year, New Books!

It is the 2009-2010 school year, and both of Panama Central School's libraries have received a set of "We The People" books on the topic of "Picturing America" from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. These are the literary complement to the artwork we received last year on the same subject.

Teachers may wish to use additional resources here. Use this Panther Readers page to discuss the books!

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out by the National Children's Book and Literary Alliance

See the companion website at ourwhitehouse.org!

The contributors’ styles of writing are as varied as the images created for this book. There is historical fiction, a time-travel fantasy, memoir,
literature of fact, and more in this attractively illustrated anthology. As you read it you will learn more about American history as well as the home of our President.
Choose your favorite entry and describe its style and why you like it. Is it historical fiction? A memoir? Or? Why do you like it?

1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough

This book is for all ages and is a beautifully illustrated history of the American Revolution. If you didn't know the story already, you might think you were reading a suspense novel!

Describe something about the format of this book that makes it very effective.

Democracy in America by Alexis de Toqueville

Sometimes it takes an outsider to clearly describe a situation. In 1831 Alexis de Toqueville visited America from France expressly to see how this democratic nation works. He then wrote this book, one of the most highly quoted books about America ever written. Read it to see why it still stands as a definitive text on the subject of our country.

Why does de Toqueville predict America is to become a great nation?

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

Charley is Steinbeck's poodle, and together in 1960 they traveled America. This book chronicles that trip and the people they encountered.

1. Steinbeck considers that radio and teen popular music will minimize regional differences. Fifty years later, was he right? Describe why you think this is a good thing, or a bad thing.

OR

2. How has car travel changed in the 50 years since this book was written? Consider not only the vehicle, but the amenities available along the road, as well as the road itself.

Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange by Elizabeth Partridge

This touching and poignant book of photographs by Dorothea Lange illustrates how she became the link between magazine readers and poorer folks in Depression era breadlines and migrant camps. The book includes her famous photographs and quotes by her, as well.

Dorothea Lange took pictures in the 1920's - 1940's that made people's problems real to others when they saw them in magazines. What are some ways that people bring attention to causes and problems today? If Dorothea were taking pictures today, where would she publish them for people to see and why would she choose those places?

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis

Founding Brothers presents six stories of those famous men of the 1770's who lead Britain's American colonies out of British rule and into a fledgling country on its own. Read each account to see how they relate to each other and tell a story greater than any one alone.

Many people prefer to read and learn history through stories. What advantages does this have for the reader? What drawbacks? Finally, which do you prefer and why?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

This novel tells the fun story of Tom Sawyer, a boy in Missouri in the 1860's that also reveals a lot about adults and society as well. Tom Sawyer has many adventures in this book with his friends Huck and Becky.

Tom Sawyer's best friend is Huck Finn. Do you have a friend like Huck? What does your friend have in common with Huck Finn?

Across America on an Emigrant Train by Jim Murphy

Author Jim Murphy is well known for his interesting and enjoyable books about American History. This one uses the true story of Robert Louis Stevenson traveling by the trans-continental railroad in 1879 to California to depict the social issues of the day.

Nothing went faster than a train in 1879, and this was a very long journey. Think of one of the longest journeys you have ever taken. What kind of transporation did you use? Did you meet other people along the way? How was your experience different than Stevenson's?

The Life and Death of Crazy Horse by Russell Freedman

This is a masterful biography of Lakota warrior Crazy Horse who lead his people through times of tumultuous change.

People remember Crazy Horse for the things he did as well as for the way he did them. List three things about Crazy Horse that made him an outstanding leader of his people.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

This classic tale of rival suitors and supernatural horror is as compelling now as when it was written in 1820.

What do you think becomes of Ichabod Crane after he is hit by the pumpkin? The author hints that he may have disappeared from that area and gone on to become a lawyer and judge elsewhere. Based on what you know about Ichabod, do you think that could be true? Why or why not?

The Captain's Dog My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Ronald Smith

This is the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition as told by an unexpected member of their travel group: their dog!

Your job is to think of a familiar story and then pick out a different character to tell the tale. Here are a few tales to choose from, or you can suggest one of your own: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Kittens. Or, try one of these: President Obama's election, the story of your summer vacation, or maybe a biography about Benjamin Franklin. You don't have to retell the tale, just describe how the tale could be told by a different narrator!

Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule by Harriette Gillem Robinet

When the United States Civil War was over, the government promised ex-slaves and poor white Southern families forty acres (and maybe a mule). Gideon is a black Union soldier who, along with his little brother and another ex-slave have one of these farms but lose it when others take revenge on them. Throughout this novel, Gideon never loses his dignity and freedom.

Describe what you think happens to Gideon and Pascal AFTER the story, as if you are outlining chapter 21.

On Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck

Davey Bowman admires his dad and big brother, who flies B-17's in World War Two, more than anyone else in the world. Davey is just a kid, so his days are filled with air raid drills, scrap metal drives and rationing.

Davey does many things to help his family and also for the "war effort" such as the scrap metal drive. Make a list of then things you do to help your family. Here is a start:

1. I turn off the lights when I leave a room which saves money on electricity.
Now add nine more!

American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne

Tall Tales are American folklore with exaggeration and humor thrown in for good fun. You may know Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyon, but how about Mike Fink and Pecos Bill? These people may have really lived, but tales of their exploits have been embellished beyond belief. This enjoyable book contains nine tall tales, some parts of which are even true.

Does your family have any "tall tales" about its members? Maybe there is a story about Grandpa driving his first car that sounds hard to believe, or perhaps the story is about YOU! Tell us about it!

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

During America's westward expansion, the Native American Anishinabe, or Ojibwa, live near Lake Superior. This story describes their lives without sentimentality.

Pick one:
Omakayas has a perfect day with Neewo in the scene on pages 40-46. Write about one of your best days.

OR

Omakayas has many conflicts with her brother Pinch. Write about a time when you did not get along with a brother or sister, and how you handled it.

Sweet Music in Harlem by Debbie Taylor

C.J. aspires to be a jazz musician, just like his uncle. In this story, C.J.'s uncle is getting ready to pose for a photograph, and C.J. is looking everywhere in the neighborhood for the hat his uncle wants to wear in the picture. He manages to round up many other jazz musicians at the same time to pose together for the photo.

Jazz music is often spontaneous and improvised. How do the illustrations show that? Choose a page in the book to write about and describe how the picture is like jazz music.

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Illustrator Christopher Bing brings more than just pictures to Longfellow's classic poem. In this beautiful book you will find letters, maps and other things that collectively describe the world as it was.

Read the poem out loud. What does the rhythm remind you of? Why did the poet choose to make it sound that way?

Harvesting Hope: The Story of César Chávez — Kathleen Krull, also available in Spanish: Cosechando esperanza: La historia de César Chávez

This is a picture book biography of Mexican American labor leader Cesar Chavez from age ten until age thirty-eight when he lead a peaceful protest about migrant farm workers terrible working conditions.

At the beginning of the story, we learn that Cesar's family produced nearly everything they need on their own farm. Do you and your family have anything that you produce or grow at home such as food from a garden or raising beef or chickens? What is it? What do you do to help with it?

Walt Whitman, Words for America by Barbara Kerley

Walt Whitman, the poet, was also a United States Civil War nurse? Yes, and he used themes of the civil war in his poetry.

Have you ever created something that was based on a challenging experience you've had? Maybe you created a picture of it, or wrote about it. Do you think of that work of art, music, prose or poetry means more to you than other things you have created? Explain.

illustration © Dover Publications.