PICTURE BOOKS
INDEPENDENT DAMES by Laurie Halse Anderson - Lively picture book jam-packed with heroic women on the American Revolution. (Nonfiction)
WE ARE STILL HERE by Traci Sorell
”Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain: We are still here!”
LOVE TWELVE MILES LONG by Glenda Armand - Beautiful picture book about the love —and distance—between an enslaved woman and her child. Highlights humanity and family love. (Fiction)
THE UNDEFEATED by Kwame Alexander - Powerful picture book celebrating black history. (Nonfiction)
chapter books
CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson - Powerful American Revolution historical fiction middle grade, a classic classroom read aloud. Includes Teacher’s’ Guide. First book in series. (Historical fiction)
HISTORY SMASHERS: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Kate Messner
An engaging look at the Revolutionary War, separating fact from myth.
STAMPED by Jason Reynolds & Dr. Ibram X. Kendi - Groundbreaking, energizing narrative for teens on the history of racist ideas. Publisher’s educator guide by Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul and curriculum connections by teacher & librarian Julia Torres.
AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Debbie Reese, Jean Mendoza - A comprehensive history for teens from an indigenous perspective. Definitions and sidebars help explain important topics. Teachers guide and lesson plan available. (Nonfiction)
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT INDIANS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK by Anton Treuer - The title says it all!
CURRICULUM RESOURCES
LEARNING FOR JUSTICE
(Formerly “Teaching Tolerance”)
K-12 resources to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
THE 1619 PROJECT- Pulitzer Center project on the consequences of slavery and contributions of black Americans. Includes standards-aligned activities.
ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT - Promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in middle and high school classrooms with free, downloadable lessons and articles.
NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN’S & YA BOOKS
Resources compiled by author Cynthia Leitich Smith
BEN FRANKLIN’S LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR THOMAS PAINE
LETTER FROM HENRY PELHAM TO PAUL REVERE
THURSDAY MORNG , BOSTON , March 29 , 1770 .
To Mr. PAUL REVERE , Present .
SIR , - When I heard that you was cutting a plate of the late Murder , I thought it impossible as I knew you was not capable of doing it unless you coppied it from mine and as I thought I had intrusted it in the hands of a person who had more regard to the dictates of Honour and Justice than to take the undue advantage you have done of the con- fidence and trust I reposed in you . But I find I was mistaken and after being at the great Trouble and Expence of making a design , paying for paper , printing & c . , find myself in the most ungenerous Manner deprived not only of any proposed Advantage but even of the expence I have been at as truly as if you had plundered me on the highway . If you are insensible of the Dishonour you have brought on yourself by this Act , the World will not be so . However , I leave you to reflect upon and consider of one of the most dishonourable Actions you could well be guilty of . H. PELHAM .
P. S. I send by the Bearer the prints I borrowed of you . My Mother desires you would send the hinges and part of the press that you had from her .