The Freedom Maze

Sherman, D. (2011). The freedom maze. Easthampton: Big Mouth House. 267 pp. ISBN: 

     978-193152030-0
    This enjoyable book is set in the 1960's, right before the Civil Rights Movement. The main character is a thirteen year old, Sophia who has to live with her grandmother and her aunt for the summer. She does not enjoy this because her parents are going through a divorce. This also causes social issues because it is the 1960's, and single mothers were looked down upon. Sophia makes a wish to be someone else, so she gets transported back to the 1860's. In this time period she goes through major life changes as she lives the life of a slave. She was mistaken for a "mulatto" because she was tan due to it being summer time. The book would be a great addition to a social studies classroom because it describes two different time periods. It also is a good coming-of-age novel, which would appeal to middle school aged students.

We Asked for Nothing: The Remarkable Journey of Cabeza de Vaca

Waldman, S. (2003). We asked for nothing: the remarkable journey of cabeza de vaca. China:   
     Mikaya Press Inc. 48 pp. ISBN: 1-931414-07-6
     This book is a historically accurate nonfiction story about Cabeza de Vaca's journey to the New World. The text is lengthy and has a lot of historical information in it. The story follows the Cabeza through the Southern parts of the United States into Mexico. The story is illustrated with life-like drawings of the Native Americans and Cabeza interacting. On each page the side has a quote from Cabeza's book, "La Relacion" which provides first-hand insight what happened. This book could be used before the expansion of the United States in a social studies unit. It could also be used on a lesson of Native Americans peoples also. This book is a great addition to a social studies lesson because of the large amount of information it provides.

The Sun's Daughter

Sherman, P. (2005). The sun’s daughter. China: Clarion Books. 32 pp. ISBN: 0-618-32430-5

     This enjoyable read was a wonderful story about why there is changes in weather. The Author's Note at the end states that this story is inspired by an Iroquois tale about the Corn Maiden. The Sun's Daughter tells the story of "Maize" who makes corn throughout the year. Then she walks into the forest (where she was not supposed to go) and "Shiver" holds her until she can get the trees to weep. The world is frozen over until the Sun decides to heat the top of the trees, who then weep so Maize can go out of Shiver's grasp for half of the year. This story is an original tale, but it can still be used to tell folktales in a genre unit.

An African American Alphabet: D is for Drinking Gourd

Sanders, N. (2007). An african american alphabet: d is for drinking gourd. China: Sleep Bear Press. 19 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1-58536-293-6

     This is a great read if you are looking for a summary of how African-Americans gained equal rights. It also is a awesome read for a social studies teacher. The book has a short passage for each letter of the alphabet that tells about an event in African American history. While the passage is short for each letter, the sides of each page describe the event in more detail. I really like the extra description on each page, it makes this book a great addition if you are using this for a history lesson. You could use the book as a timeline of African American history, it starts with the abolitionists. You could use this book before you begin a history lesson on African Americans, or before a lesson about the Civil War. This would also be a good addition in your library in your own classroom, as students could explore the history themselves and learn more details about African American history. This book is apart of a series of other books based on different cultures, such as Irish people and Native Americas. Any of these would be a great addition to your lessons or library.

Joseph

Moses, S. (2008). Joseph. United States: Margaret K. McElderry Books. 174 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1-

     4169-1752-6

     While this book is a shorter, easier read the story does not hide the fact that Joseph's Mom is a drug addict. The story is told through Joseph's eyes, a fifteen year old boy who likes to play tennis and work hard in school. He used to live in a ghetto with his Mom because his Dad was deployed to Iraq. The Dad hopes to one day get custody of Joseph, so he can have a family again without the Mom's drug addiction. Joseph cares for his Mom deeply despite her drug addiction. Joseph would hide his Mom's bad decisions, even if they effected him personally. His Mom is accused of burning down the shelter that they lived in, which means that Joseph now lives with his Aunt and Uncle. Joseph gets a new life, with a school and friends that care about him. This story covers topics from bullying, family, and growing up. The stories intense subject manner would require a lesson on bullying before going about reading the book. The stories subject matters (divorce, drugs, parents not caring) may have occurred to some student's in your class. The story would be a great addition to a classroom library or used for a lesson on bullying, or growing up.