Lady Liberty

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~"New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

Photo by Liberty Library Lady

Oh, how I loved Emma Lazarus' poem and the Statue of Liberty. (Still do!) My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Nighsonger, must have impressed upon us the peril Lady Liberty faced after a century in New York's harbor. She must have explained well what the statue meant to thousands of immigrants arriving to America. Mrs. Nighsonger must have inspired us well--I still appreciate the symbol of freedom for which Lady Liberty stands.

As a class, we saved pennies to send for the statue's restoration. Just like schoolchildren a century before us, we contributed to Lady Liberty's existence in New York's Harbor. The photo above is a picture of the penny bank Mrs. Nighsonger gave to me 30 years ago. (Thanks, Mrs. Nighsonger. Your teaching changed my life.)

Liberty's Voice by Erica Silverman

Image from TitlePeek

The story of privileged Emma Lazaras, who grew up to advocate for the poor and oppressed.

Building Liberty: A Statue is Born by Serge Hochain

Image from TitlePeek

The building of Lady Liberty is chronicled in this book, which follows the part four fictional craftsmen take in her creation.

Looking at Liberty by Harvey Stevenson

Image from TitlePeek

Recounts the creation of the Statue of Liberty from inspiration to installation in New York's Harbor.

Liberty! by Allan Drummond

Image from TitlePeek

From the perspective of the young boy selected to signal sculptor Bartholdi, this book tells about the 1886 dedication of the Statue of Liberty.

American Civil War

Today I'm substituting in a fifth grade classroom. It's been many years since I taught fifth grade and I must say, it's coming back easily. Fifth graders have a special place in my heart.

Image from Reederbooks.com

Students are reading Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder. In this story, we learn about Will's journey as a Southerner to a Northerner's world. Will has lost his entire family and must now navigate through emotional and situational transition. Along the way, he learns that the world is not black and white--that there are shades of gray.

During our snack, I grabbed a picture book from my library to share with students. Along with this book, any of those listed below will enhance a study of the American Civil War.

The Blue and the Gray by Eve Bunting

Image from Library Thing

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Image from Titlepeek

Freedom Ship by Doreen Rappaport

Image from Titlepeek

Boys and Books

"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life." 
~W. Somerset Maugham

Has reading changed your life? It has changed mine and I wish the same experience for children. In our home, we read together almost every day. I've read every kind of book you can imagine to my kids. I've mastered the voice of Yoda. Man, I have the reading force. 

So much has been written about boys and the trouble they have finding great books to read. You might find that your son eagerly listens to stories, but won't pick up a chapter book and read on his own. There are two books I recommend to grown ups that address boys and reading:

Best Books for Boys by Pam Allyn

Image from Library Thing

Great Books for Boys by Kathleen Odean

Image from Library Thing

In addition, I find these websites to be useful resources in the hunt for the perfect "boy" book:

Guys Read

Read Kiddo Read

Browsing my library for books, I am reminded that the series listed below are excellent for ALL students. I often recommend these books to boys .

Image from Library Thing

Carole Marsh Mysteries are superb. Her tag line is "Real Kids, Real Places." I like these books for the location--National Parks, famous sites, places families might visit together. Check out Carole's website--phenomenal. 

Image from Library Thing

Bruce Hale writes about the detective, Chet Gecko. These books play on words with titles like Murder, My Tweet and Bruce's storytelling is superb. Bruce's website doesn't disappoint.

Image from Library Thing

Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black have written a fantasy adventure series called "The Spiderwick Chronicles." If your reader likes fantasy this series is complete with field guides, character guides, and more. 

Let me know if you try out these books . . . I'm eager to hear what works well in your house.

Hugs and Shrieks (aka, historical fiction)

Recently a student asked me for some historical fiction/non-fiction book combinations. Sweetie, your request was right up my alley. (Really, I just about grabbed you in a crazed hug and shrieked with joy.) 

At the bottom of this post, I'll list the FIRST of these combinations. For now, read a little about an author I admire: DEBORAH WILES. She rocks my library world and rocks it hard.

Ever since I read Each Little Bird That Sings, I've been a fan of Deborah Wiles. Perhaps it's her southern voice? Maybe it's the humor? I'm not sure it matters--her characters and tight plots draw me in and keep me recommending her books for years.

Last year I read Countdown. Um, A-MAZ-ING. This genre is called "documentary fiction" and readers experience history as they read the story of Franny Chapman. Check out her Pinterest board for both Countdown and the upcoming sequel. Yeah, I'm salivating. I love me some history AND fiction!

Countdown Book Trailer

Countdown Ideas

Historical Fiction/Non-Fiction Combo Numero Uno:

Cold War

Image hosted by Library Thing

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin 

Check out Yelchin's website for great explanations of socialism and Stalin. This site is so complete and completely written for young people. 

Image hosted by Library Thing

The Wall by Peter Sis

This book is a graphic memoir of Sis' childhood behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia. Wowsa. It's lovely. Here's a great site for the book from Macmillan. (Super YouTube videos--I had to stop myself from putting them here or you might never get to the actual books!)