Magic Treehouse #21 Civil War on Sunday

Genre: Fantasy (Audiobook)

Title: Civil War On Sunday

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrator: Sal Murdocca

Awards: N/A

Age Range: 6-9 years old

Summary: The story begins with Jack and Annie heading into the forest to see if the Magic Treehouse was back. Fortunately, for them it was! Inside the Treehouse they found a note from Morgan, and a book titled The Civil War, which is where they went. They ended up in the field that was on the cover of the book, and it was not long until they saw injured soldiers. Annie desperately wanted to help the soldiers, but Jack did not think kids could help. However, they met a nice nurse who told them they would love their help. She even gave them a list of things to do. Jack was very hesitant to help because he was uncomfortable and they already found what Morgan asked them to find. Annie convinced Jack to stay a little longer that way they could feed the soldiers. Jack meets one soldier and learns about slavery from him. Then, Jack and Annie meet Clara Barton as she brought back wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Both children went with Clara to search the field again for wounded soldiers. There were two soldiers that needed to be taken back to the hospital. Clara thanked Jack and Annie for all their help, and the children headed home. When they got home they were thrilled to see their parents and learn that the drummer boy they helped was their great great great grandfather.

Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book because I think it sheds light on the Civil War in a way that is appropriate for younger students. This book would be great for grades 2nd through the 4th grade. I would use this book in my classroom as a way to introduce the Civil War. It would be a great way to get the conversation about the war started and ask students what they know about the war. Also, I could use the book to teach about Clara Barton and the major impact she had not just in the war, but in America. Then, I would have the students research a historical figure like Clara Barton and give a short presentation on what they learned.

Comments

The Name Jar

Genre: Fiction/Multicultural Title: The Name Jar Author/Illustrator: Yangsook Choi Awards: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Master List, Arizona Younger Readers Award Nominee Age Range: 3-7 Years Old Summary: Unhei is new to America and is attending school for her first day. She is nervous, and some of the kids make fun of her name. She tells her mom that she wants an American name because she does not want to be different. She tests out different names by introducing herself in the mirror, but nothing seems to sound right. The next day at school Unhei found a jar on her desk, which was filled with name suggestions from her classmates. It keeps getting filled up, but one day when she went to class the name jar was gone. Only one name was on her desk and it was her own. She decided to introduce herself to the class and keep her original name. Johnny showed up at her house that evening with the name jar. He told Unhei that he wanted her to keep her own name which is why he took the ja...

Little Rabbit Foo Foo

Genre: Poetry Title: Little Rabbit Foo Foo Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Arthur Robins Awards: N/A Age group: 3-6 years old Summary: A fairy visits Little Rabbit Foo Foo because he is being mean to others. The fairy gives him three chances to change, but he does not listen. Therefore, she turns Little Rabbit Foo Foo into a goon. Evaluation: This would be a fun book to not only read but to sing chorally as a class. I would create some hand motions for the students to do as we read and sang the song. I think this book could be a good brain break especially if I incorporated some movements with the song. Also, I can use the book to teach students that we should be kind to others and the importance of listening when told to do something the first time.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Genre: Historical Fiction Title: When Jessie Came Across the Sea Author: Amy Hest Illustrator: P. J. Lynch Awards: Christopher Award Age Range: 7-12 years old Summary: Jessie had no plans of going to America, but the rabbi in her village chose her to go in his place. Jessie was not happy to go to America because she was scared. On the boat the first day, she cried a lot. Although, eventually she decided to sew to pass the days. She even helped a few fellow passengers by sewing some of the clothes. Cousin Kay was there to greet Jessie when she got to the U.S. She was very excited to see her. Cousin Kay made Jessie go to school because she wanted her to learn English. Jessie has also been working very hard sewing because she is trying to earn enough money to purchase a ticket to America for her grandmother. Jessie has been in America for 3 years now, and when she was out walking she ran into her friend Lou who she met on the ship. One day, he asked her to marry him and when Jessie...

Ms. Sevon's Booktique

Search This Blog