Navajo Code Talkers

Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng is a big favorite of mine. I feel that this topic is just lightly brushed over in history classes and the Navajo weren’t given as much credit as they deserved for their sacrifices during World War II. This book is a compelling story of how the young men risked their lives for their country. The book opens with a little bit of background knowledge about the Navajo and their legendary struggle to keep their land, and the reason they shy away from white people. It also goes on to explain how Kit Carson and his crew wanted to stamp the Navajo language out of the people, but years later the US Marines needed them and used the Navajo to create an unbreakable code that the Japanese have yet to unlock. The story also unfolds and shows how they went through the basic training, and how they worked together to create and interpret the code, as well as some of the battle experiences. Some of the neat things for students that this book contains are the pictures. There are sporadically pictures about Navajo Marines working on message or creating codes. This would be a wonderful addition to any classroom in grades 6-8 and it would give kids a better understanding of US history.

Mississippi Trial, 1955

Chris Crowe's first novel, Mississippi Trial, 1955 is a fictionalized account of the Emmitt Till case of Money, Mississippi.

This novel is rated for grade levels 6 through 8 yet may be appropriate for older students as well.

I am currently teaching Nobel-prize winning author Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon to International Baccalaureate seniors. They were really intrigued by the case and when we talked about the history of it were appalled and interested at the same time.

In the social studies classroom (especially the middle school one), this is a great way to introduce the impact of segregation and racism in the south. This is a particularly good novel because it is told from the point of view of a white teenager who disagrees with the racism he is forced to live in.

We are All Born Free

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assemble on December 10, 1948. It was developed as a result of the horrors of World War II. Its purpose was to state and protect the rights of all people around the world.

We are all Born Free: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures celebrates each declaration with amazing illustrations by a number of artists. This book has many educational opportunities for a variety of levels. Just some topic ideas include, World War II, Holocaust, human rights violations, Cold War, etc. The possibilities are truly endless.

Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan

Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan is a picture book dedicated to telling the true story of young Garang, who was about 8 years old when his Sudanese village was brutally attacked and his family torn apart. Author, Mary Williams, and illustrator R. Gregory Christie take you on Garang's story both in powerful words and beautiful illustrations.
This picture book is a great book to bridge the gap of your struggling readers with your more advanced readers.

A Diary of an Iraqi Girl

Diary of an Iraqi Girl offers great insight into the personal life of a young girl during the invasion of the United States. It provides a personal account of life in Iraq and how the US's invasion affected daily life for those living in Iraq during the time.
Perfect for many different interdisciplinary activities. Because her blog is public, students have the opportunity to interact with Hadia, providing an authentic audience for writing assignments! English dream right?? Social Studies could use bits and pieces of her diary in a unit on terrorism to provide insight to how life was affected by the US in Iraq.

Why?

Nikolai Popov's, wordless, thought provoking tale about a frog who sits peacefully on a rock smelling a flower and a mouse who aggressively snatches the flower away. The absurdity of aggression and the inevitable consequences of the violence that occurs, teaches ys the ugliness of war and that there are no winners.

Perfect to discuss any historical moment of war. Some that come to mind, World War II, Cold War, War on Terrorism, etc. Perfect for younger grade levels as well as high schoolers. Great writing assignments come to mind especially since this book is wordless.