Historical Book Reviews
335 book reviews found, page 27 of 67. Narrow results by selecting age range:
Hatmaker's Sign
Candace Fleming (2000), 40 pages
Illustrated by Robert Parker
Audience: 2nd Grade - 5th Grade
Thomas Jefferson is proud as punch. He's just finished writing the Declaration of Independence, and he thinks it sounds perfect. When the Constitutional Congress reads it the next day, the delegates aren't as impressed: in fact, they do nothing but complain!
Jefferson slumps in his chair, angry and embarrassed. His old friend, Ben Franklin, comes, pats his shoulder consolingly, and says, 'Tom, this put me in mind of a story.'
The story is The Hatmaker's Sign, about John Thompson, a hat maker in Boston. He's finally ready to open his own shop, and everything is set. The store is clean, painted, and well-stocked. Now all he needs is a sign. He make one that he thinks is suitable, even rather good, and is on the way to have it painted by the town sign painter. On his way, he encounters many friends and acquaintances, all of whom have their own suggestions about how the sign should be changed to make it better.
Will he take his friends' advice and change the sign? Or should he trust his instinct and leave it alone?
Reviewed by: sc
Date read: 6/1/2009
ISBN-10: 053107174X
ISBN-13: 9780531071748
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Reader Comments
Encouraging StoryCommenter: Jill, grade 0
This inspiring book is based on a story that Benjamin Franklin told Thomas Jefferson to cheer him up after Congress critiqued his original version of the Declaration of Independence. The tale that Benjamin told was of the critiques that various people told a hatmaker, named John Thompson, regarding the sign that he created for his brand new hat shop. Responding to the critiques, John ended up editing out all of the words of his sign. Upon seeing the blank sign, the signmaker suggested great wordage to John.
Hattie has been living with Aunt Ivy and Uncle Holt since her parents died a few years back. Since Uncle Holt and Aunt Ivy never had children, Aunt Ivy has a completely different view on how a 16-year-old young lady should act. But November 11, 1917 is the day that changes Hattie's life once and for all. Her mother's brother, Uncle Chester had passed away and willed a 320 parcel of Montana land to Hattie. To claim Montana land, all a person has to do is improve at least 40 acres and fence them in by the end of 4 years. The problem is that Hattie doesn't have 4 years ' she only has 1 year left on Uncle Chester's agreement before it is sold for back taxes. Can Hattie finish everything that is required in time?
Reviewed by: sc
Date read: 4/28/2009
ISBN-10: 0385733135
ISBN-13: 9780385733137
Haunting of Charles Dickens
Lewis Buzbee (2010), 368 pages
Illustrated by Greg Ruth
Audience: 6th Grade - 8th Grade
1862. London, England. Charles Dickens is THE author of the day and the Pickel Family are devoted fans. Meg and Orion are spellbound by his latest book-Great Expectations-and are reading it as quickly as possible. Meg, of course getting each of the volumes AFTER Orion. However, he is taking such a long time to finish volume 3 and then he disappears-with the book! The family is distraught and six-months later there still has been no sign of Orion. Meg has difficulty sleeping and takes to the rooftops one midnight only to stumble upon their family friend, Mr. Charles Dickens, also on the rooftops unable to sleep. Meg and Mr. Dickens join forces to find Orion and their adventures are fast-paced, hair-raising, and most complex. Their plans involve disguises as they follow clues leading to kidnapping and forced labor in underground buildings and tunnels. Victorian England comes alive through the quirky and clever antics of Meg and Mr. Dickens.
Similar books: Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer
Reviewed by: adf
Date read: 5/11/2011
ISBN-10: 0312382561
ISBN-13: 9780312382568
Henry's Freedom Box
Ellen Levine (2007), 40 pages
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Audience: Preschool - 5th Grade
Born into slavery, Henry experiences the heartache of seeing his wife and children sold to other owners. Henry wants to live as a free man, but how can he get to a place where there are no slaves? One day, Henry has an idea. He will mail himself in a large wooden box from Richmond to Philadelphia. Two men help him into the box, nail on the cover, and then Henry's journey begins. The box travels on trains and a steamboat, and sometimes Henry is upside down or sideways, unable to move in the small box! After 27 hours, he arrives in Philadelphia and is helped out of his box. Henry is now a free man! The beautiful illustrations convey the story of this picture book.
Awards nominated: Bluestem 2011
Awards won: Caldecott Honor Book 2008
Reviewed by: msp
Date read: 6/17/2010
ISBN-10: 043977733X
ISBN-13: 9780439777339
Pee Wee doesn't want to go to her 8th grade graduation, she doesn't want to wear a dress new or used and she really doesn't want to go to the high school next year. What she really wants is to work with her brother Jake in their garage. After all, the paved road should be coming right past their place into town and automobiles are becoming more and more popular so business should pick up. But then the town hires a new, not to mention young and pretty, librarian and Pee Wee's world is turned upside down.
Reviewed by: caroll
Date read: 12/13/2011
ISBN-13: 9780142409084
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