The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours

The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours
Jane Goodall

Scholastic Press
New York
2001

Jane Goodall tells the adventure of her discoveries about chimpanzees' similarities to ourselves, from their lifelong family bonds to their ability to engage in primitive warfare. She shares stories about individual chimpanzees she loves. And she tells of her own efforts to save the chimpanzees from being lost forever.

Noteworthy Features:

• Written as a first person narrative
• Pictures: many colored photographs
• Theme of courage and hope for the future

I would use this story in my classroom to teach students about Jane Goodall. She has such a cool story that I think students would enjoy. There is also a message of courage and hope intertwined into the story. Because of these themes and the information about chimpanzees this book is filled with important lessons and information for students to learn.

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Activities to Download 
• Jane Goodall Website 
• Lesson Plans 

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
Andrea Davis Pinkney

Jump at the Sun
New York
1999

This is the story of one of America's greatest composers, Duke Ellington.  He is introduced as a smooth talkin,' slick-steppin,' piano playin' kid with his "fine as pie looks and flashy threads" — thus earning him the name "Duke," by which he would be known his entire life. Readers learn of other key milestones in Duke's life.

Noteworthy Features:

• Written in a jazz-style prose
• Illustrations: rainbow colors, strokes that swirl

I think students would enjoy this book. It would be a good book to introduce a musician to the students. Duke Ellington also stopped music for a little bit to play baseball. Some students, especially the boys, might find that interesting and therefore become more engaged in this book.

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Book Info and Lessons 
• Lesson Plans from ReadWriteThink 

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?
Jean Fritz

McCann & Geoghegan 
New York
1977

This is funny book that explains who King George is and what he did. It explains both fun facts and informational facts. It also discusses the time period of the American Revolution. It gives reasons as to why the American rebelled in the early stages. This book discusses this time period accurately but also with a sense of humor. 



Noteworthy Features:

• Illustrations: Tomi DePaola illustrated for this book in his typical manner.
• Humor: This book is written in a funny but educational and accurate manner.

Teachers should use this book when discussing the American Revolution. It gives an accurate depiction of what was happening, but from the perspective of King George. It also is a bibliography of King George. Students will be engaged in this book because of its funny nature. 

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Lesson Plan 
• Word Wall Words 
• Online Quiz 

Girls Who Rocked the World

Girls Who Rocked the World
Amelie Welden

Beyond Worlds Publishing
New York
1998

This book discusses girls who have accomplished a lot before the age of 20. It gives a short overview of the girls' lives. It explains their life, what they did, and challenges they needed to overcome. Some of the girls discussed in the book are well known while others are not. A couple people included in this book are: Mother Theresa. Phyllis Wheatley, and Cleopatra.



Noteworthy Features:

• Illustrations: There are pictures of the girls discussed. However, the pictures are more cartoon than realistic. 
• Dreams: All of the girls had dreams (not sleeping, but achievements they wanted to attain). Shows that you should have dreams, make goals, and set out to achieve them. 

This is a great book to use to show that women are equal to men. It shows that women have made huge achievements in the world. It would be great to have students read, to help them see the importance of having dreams. It is also good for the students to see that these girls, who achieved so much, faced many challenges along the way. It expresses to students to not give up, but to persevere when they face challenges.

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Women's History Month Lesson Plans
• Gender Roles in Social Studies

If You Grew Up with George Washington

If You Grew Up with George Washington
Ruth Belov Gross

Scholastic 
New York
1993

This book explains facts about George Washington. It explains aspects of his life such as his childhood, colonial life, and transportation. It has fun facts, like the fact that George Washington's teeth were made of hippopotamus not wood. There are details on the customs of his time period. Some of these include: games, schooling, clothing worn, medical techniques, and the food eaten.

Noteworthy Features:

• Format: Written in a question-answer format. This makes it easy for students to read and understand. 
• Table of Contents: All questions are listed in a table of contents making information easy and efficient to find. 

This is a great book for teachers to use with students to introduce them both to the President George Washington and to the time period. The information includes a good mix of fun and informational facts. The fun facts make it more interesting for the students, while still including great informational facts the students should know.

Links to Classroom Activities:

•  Additional Books for a Lesson
• President Activities
• Scholastic

So You Want to Be President

So You Want to Be President
Judith St. George

Philomel Books
New York
2000

This Caldecott Medal Award winner discusses the first 41 presidents. It talks about the presidents in a manner that makes them seem more human. For example, it discusses embarrassing moments, their pets, where they are from, etc. It also tells interesting facts like how many presidents are name James, which presidents are related, and how many grew up in log cabins.


Noteworthy Features:

• Pictures: The pictures in this book are funny. They are drawn in a comedic and colorful manner. Most of the pictures are exaggerated in some way, making the pictures funny, but also help make the point the author is trying to make about the president(s). 
• Language: This book is written in a way that is easy to understand. It is a book of funny or interesting facts, but it does not read like reading a bunch of facts. It is entertaining and engaging.

This is a great book for students to read for social studies. It allows the students to see that even though the president has a very important job, all the presidents were people and have human qualities like themselves. They will learn interesting facts about the presidents that may not be the most important, but do allow the students to have a different perspective of the presidents. Students will find this book funny and want to read it. After reading this book, students may be more interested in learning more about the presidents (giving teachers an in to teach the important facts!)

Links for Classroom Activities:

• http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/unit-25-so-you-want-to-be-president.html
  This link leads to a fourth grade teachers website. The website includes many ideas to use with this book. Some of the topics in this link include: about the author, puppet video of books, and a slideshow about the book. 
• https://www.teachervision.com/presidents/literature-guide/5241.html
  This link leads to a page that contains 10 tips for teaching using this book!
• http://bookinitat50.blogspot.com/2012/10/lesson-plan-so-you-want-to-be-president.html
  This is a social studies lesson plan using this book.