Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

Freedom Summer is a story about two young boys Joe and John Henry. This book takes
place in the South of 1964 when segregation issues were going on. Joe and John Henry were
best friends, but the problem was that John is black so they cant hang out in public together like
they would like to. John wants to be able to do all the things with Joe such as swimming in the
local community pool, but when the boys decide to go the pool it was being shut down. This
made John angry because he didnt understand why he wasnt able to do everything with his best
friend. This is a good read to bring into the classroom for children to understand the struggle
people went through with segregation. It teaches a good lesson that we are all the same no
matter what race we are and should be treated equal.
Interest Level: K-2
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.7
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren
Tarshis
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 is
about a little boy named Lucas who loves football, but his
parents tell him that the sport is too dangerous for him to
play so he was forced to quit. Lucas was taught how to
play football by his Uncle Benny who works with his dad
at the fire department. Lucas decided to go into the city the
next day in New York, but when he arrived at the firehouse
he realized that something just wasnt right. This book tells
about the tragedy that occurred on 9/11 in a child-friendly
way for children to understand and not become frightened
of the attack. The book goes through how Lucass father
was involved in 9/11 and he makes his way to find his family. I think this is such an important
book for children to read because they need to know what happened in history and how it
affected our country. It is an age appropriate book that describes what happened on this day in a
very respectful manner.

Interest Level: 2-5

Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5

The Magic Tree House #47: Abe Lincoln at Last! By Mary Pope
Osborne
This book is about two characters, Jack and Annie that need to find
four items to save Merlins baby penguin, Penny. They have to go back in
time to Washington DC during Abe Lincolns time to get a feather from
him so that the spell can be broken for Penny. They become
unsuccessful many times to see Lincoln so they get a magic potion
that leads them to the wilderness where they meet Sam. This is a fun
book for readers to understand Lincoln in a different point of view
that involves real historical facts during the time Lincoln is trying to
save the nation during catastrophe.
Interest Level: 2-4
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.0
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Number the Stars takes place during the time the Nazis invaded Jewish
homes and separated families in Copenhagen, Denmark. The story focuses
on Annemarie Johansen who was only 10 years old. Annemarie and her
best friend Ellen were stopped by soldiers on their way home from school,
but they were confused about what had happened, and then when Mrs.
Hirschs neighborhood shop was close it caused even more
misunderstandings. The next day the Rosens had to flee from Denmark so
Ellen was left with the Johansens that helped lead her to safety in Sweden
to wait for her mother. When the war ended Annemarie and her family
gathered and it was like a parade in the streets. Annemarie is finally
beginning to understand everything and her parents told her that her that Lise her sister died
because of the Germans. At the end of the story Annemarie goes to Lises room and takes out the
Star of David Pendent to wear it until Ellen has a safe return.
Interest Level: K-3
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.0

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Sarah Plain and Tall is about two children Anna

and Caleb whose mother had passed away and now their
father is a widow. Their widowed father sets up an
advertisement for a bride. He receives an answer from
Sarah Elisabeth Wheaten who lives in Maine. Sarah agrees
to come for a month to see what its like and lives at their
farmhouse. Papa of course spoils Sarah and the children
are looking for a mother figure again and hope that she will
decide to stay. The book focuses on the point that Sarah
may decide to not stay with them, but they think of
everything they can do to make her. I really enjoyed
reading this book. I like how it takes a realistic situation
and is put into a story. I think this is an enjoyable read for
children and very engaging.
Interest Level: 4-7
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.4

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is about a little girl named Ruthie who has been
anxiously waiting for her father to return home from war. This was the year her family had been
chosen to supply the Christmas tree for their Church, and was also chosen as an angel in her
pageant. Before Ruthies father left for war they set out to find a tree and marked it with a
ribbon. While her father is still at war Ruthie and her mom go out to find the tree that her
husband had marked, and delivered it to the Church. Ruthies mom wanted to make sure all of
her daughters Christmas wishes came true so she makes her the dress for her pageant and the doll
she wanted for Christmas. At the end of the book Ruthies best present was her fathers return
from the war. This is a great holiday book for children, especially for families who have parents
overseas during the holidays.
Interest Level: K-3

Grade Level Equivalent: 4.2

The Wall by Eve Bunting

The Wall by Eve Bunting is about a little boy and his
father that go to Washington to visit the Veterans
Memorial. Through this picture book the father goes
to show his son his grandfathers name on the wall for
being a hero and fighting in the Vietnam War. At the
memorial the boy has many different views of a soldier
in a wheelchair, and people laying flowers at the
memorial. The boy realizes he doesnt have a
grandfather, but his dad comforts him and lets him
realize its an honor his grandfathers name is on this
wall. This is a good book for children because it
focuses on the subject of war and how we can lose our
loved ones, but how it is such an honor that they sacrificed themselves for the sake of our
freedom.
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.1