United States History - Elementary

The Courage of Sarah Noble

Book cover: 'The Courage of Sarah Noble'
Author(s): 
Alice Dalgleish
Number of pages: 
54 pages
Copyright: 
1954
Publisher: 
Aladdin Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
18th century
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Review: 
The Courage of Sarah Noble is based on the true story of eight year old Sarah Noble, who accompanies her father into the Connecticut wilderness to cook meals for him as he builds the family's cabin. The story takes place in 1707 and focuses on her courage against the unknown fears of the wilderness.

Because the book focuses so much on her courage, this book could be used as a springboard for discussing the role of Guardian Angels in our lives. Of course, it should be mentioned to the child reading the story that Sarah was not Catholic and would not know that she could pray to her Guardian Angel whenever she was frightened. In the same light, it would also have been nice if Sarah would have placed more faith in God and said a prayer every time she was frightened instead of clutching her cloak or repeating the words "'keep up your courage.'" Sarah does, however, say her night prayers when she stays with an Indian family while her father returns home to bring the rest of the family to the cabin and she does read her Bible( Both incidents are naturally interwoven in the story).

In particular, I really liked the way Dalgliesh develops Sarah's relationship with her father. It is very heart warming to see this kind of relationship presented in literature. Not only is he a good role model as a father, but, as a character, he speaks with wisdom. He is very gentle, patient, and loving with her. One statement that he makes that is very heartening to hear is when he says, "'It was a blessing the Lord gave me daughters, as well as sons.'" How many daughters in real life yearn to hear their fathers say this? He also comments, when he is referring to the Indians, "'In our home all will be treated with kindness always Sarah.'" This is a nice counterpoint to the fear she had of the Indians as ruthless savages. The story also realistically makes clear that although some Indians are peaceful, some are to be feared.

My only concern with the story would be that I would be hesitant to read this story aloud with younger children (4 year olds) in the room who are already fearful by nature, because of the constant emphasis of her fear. For the age that it is intended, it should not be a problem.

Overall, this is an easy to read short chapter book for the 3rd-6th grade reader. It is a very realistic portrayal of life in the wilderness as a little girl struggles to overcome her fears, at the same time trying to do the right thing. Because of the way each chapter is presented, this book would be ideal for discussing each chapter's theme between the parent and child. I would recommend this book along with discussion. For example, "Do you think it was kind for the children to tease Sarah?" What could they have said instead.

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Iron Spy

Book cover: 'The Iron Spy'
Author(s): 
Joan Stromberg
Number of pages: 
165 pages
Copyright: 
2003
Publisher: 
Ecce Homo Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
19th century
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
In this first book of the new series The Danville Chronicles, Joan Stromberg has found a fun and exciting way to teach faith to your children ten years and older. It will capture their imagination and keep their minds thinking.

This book takes place in the town of Danville, Pennsylvania in 1875. The biggest Iron Mill in town is owned by Mr. Graves. It has just exploded and Mary Mulhearn, an Irish immigrant, and her blind friend Kathleen Dodd are trying to find evidence that Mary's father, Mr. Mulhearn, is innocent of blowing up the Iron Mill and becoming a Molly Maguire. Although Mary's family knows he would never turn into a Molly Maguire and blow up the Iron Mill were he worked before it exploded, they also know that their realization of his innocence alone will not be enough to win the trial against Mr. Mulhearn.

Then one day, to make things more puzzling for Mary, a man who calls himself Sean McGinty shows up at Mary's door and says he is an immigrant right off a boat from Ireland and finds a place to stay at the Mulhearns' house. But Mary doesn't believe his story and is on his case. Mary and Kathleen go through adventures and trials, they find a detective book under a man's bed, they notice a ring that has shown up on two people, they spot a man in the town graveyard during the night, and they learn how to spy on a spy. They also have many more questions than answers at one point. Who is Sean really? Is he a Molly Maguire or is he on Mr. Graves' side? Who blew up the mill and why? If you want to know the answers to these questions and more and if Mary cracks the case and finds out whom Sean really is, you will have to read The Iron Spy for yourself.

What better kind of book could you ask for than a Catholic history mystery that will not let your mind wander or let your eyes drift from its thrilling pages?

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Reviewer age 12

Reviewed by: 
Mary
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Outlaws of Ravenhurst

Book cover: 'The Outlaws of Ravenhurst'
Author(s): 
Sr. M. Imelda Wallace, S.L.
Number of pages: 
233 pages
Publisher: 
Lepanto Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
United States
17th century
Scotland
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
This is a lovely and engaging story set in early 17th Century Scotland and Colonial America. A mysterious "gray-cloaked" stranger leaves a toddler to be found by a passing priest. A young boy notices that he looks surprisingly unlike his "twin." It is a story of a boy being suddenly thrust into great challenges to faith and life. Secret passages, mysteriously changing identities and subtleties of who you can trust surround a story that stirs the blood to stand up for the faith - inspired by true stories of long ago. Devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady come alive in noble characters who are boldly ready to die for their faith.

The story is Catholic through and through, but the characters are so real and the enemies are not exaggerated. I was pleased to see that not only are Protestants not demonized, but seen as fellow-sufferers (however misguided) under corrupt men . The action will keep you on the edge of your seat while surprises await you at every turn. My children and I really enjoyed this story as a read-aloud.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Donated for review by Lepanto Press.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-23-01

The Reb and the Redcoats

Book cover: 'The Reb and the Redcoats'
Author(s): 
Constance Savery
Number of pages: 
203 pages
Copyright: 
1961
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
American Revolution Era
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Elementary
Review: 
One of the many books my wife discovered. After she read it aloud to the kids they wanted me to read it to them AGAIN at their nightly story time before bed. Though this novel is written for children I stayed up late to finish it myself after one such session! It takes place in England during the American Revolutionary War. The main character of the book is a captured American 'Rebel'. He is befriended by the children of the country house where he is held prisoner. But by his actions he proves so honorable that he is given freedom to roam the estate and is eventually even hired, during his captivity, to tutor the children in their studies. Everyone in the family begins to love him - but he is bound to escape and complete his mission. I will let YOU stay up late to find out what happens.

I found this book full of living examples of the many virtues that make up an honorable person (honesty, loyalty, integrity, desire to learn, courtesy, etc.) and yet also just plain enjoyable. The style includes glimpses into human nature that make you laugh when you unexpectedly recognize them.

Reviewed by: 
John Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Reb and the Redcoats

Book cover: 'The Reb and the Redcoats'
Author(s): 
Constance Savery
Number of pages: 
203 pages
Copyright: 
1961
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
American Revolution Era
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Elementary
Review: 
The Reb and the Redcoats is an adventurous historical fiction story about a British family during the American Revolution who "play host" to an American prisoner of war. 15 year old Randal is a well-educated Virginian who was sent on a military mission as a French interpreter. When he and his comrades are captured, he gives his captors no end of trouble with his escape attempts and is finally confined to an old penance cell at the estate of Laurence Templeton (which had once been a monastery). Things get interesting when Captain Templeton's elder sister, Mrs. Darrington and her four children arrive for an indefinite stay at the estate. The children are fascinated by the American Rebel and can't understand why Uncle Laurence is so resentful of his presence.

This is one of the most delightful stories I've read in a long time. Although it is recommended for ages 10 and up, our entire family enjoyed this story immensely. Not only is it a very enjoyable and well-told tale (with accurate historical details), but there are some very nice lessons tied into the story about how we should treat other people and how easy it is to misjudge.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Sign of the Beaver

Author(s): 
Elizabeth George Speare
Copyright: 
1983
Publisher: 
Random House Listening Library
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
18th century
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Resource Type: 
Audio Tape
Review: 
Also available in softcover

This is a story about a twelve year old boy named Matt who lived in Maine about 250 years ago. Near the beginning of the story, all of Matt's family (besides Matt) went away. One day he was fishing when a bear took a lot of Matt's food. The next day he was going to try to get a spoon of honey from a bee's hive. The spoon wasn't small enough to fit in the hole; neither was his finger. So he pulled a piece of the bark from above the hole and the bees came out and chased him to a river. So he went into the water and later he felt himself coming up because an Indian pulled him out of the water. The Indian had a grandson named Attean. Attean was about 14 years old. Attean's grandfather wanted Matt to teach Attean how to read. The book they started on was Robinson Crusoe. Matt and Attean became friends and they had lots of adventures.

I like the Sign of the Beaver so much that I'd like to listen to it lots more times.

Additional notes: 

2 cassettes, 3 hours 9 min

Reviewer age 7

Reviewed by: 
Matthew
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Who Carved the Mountain?

The Story of Mount Rushmore
Author(s): 
Jean L. S Patrick
Illustrator(s): 
Renee Graef
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2005
ISBN: 
9780975261743
Publisher: 
Mount Rushmore History Association
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

Our family was delighted to visit Mount Rushmore recently, along with several other Love2Learn families. Since we live in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore books have prominent and permanent displays in our library system's many branches. Who Carved the Mountain saw the inside of our weekly library bag many times and became our favorite Mount Rushmore picture book. When I saw the warm, familiar cover at the Mount Rushmore gift shop's window, I could not resist it: I went inside resolutely and by the time I came out, our family was the proud owner of a copy of this beautifully illustrated volume!

Who Carved the Mountain features the many people associated with Mount Rushmore in attractive, friendly and educational double-spread pages. There are twelve of these, depicting Doane Robinson who first thought of the project, artist Borglum, the four presidents, the project's workers and more. Pictured in warm colors and rich in detail, they are also described in verse and on an interesting-tidbits-full sidebar. The text on each page is just enough, providing both brief enough descriptions and meaty enough content. The verses are told in a first person perspective:

The Pointer 

I am the pointer 
I make the marks on the mountain

First, I work in Borglum’s studio 
I measured the models of our presidents 
And I multiplied each number by twelve.

I loved the math, the complicated math. 
The mouths would be eighteen feet wide!

Next I climbed Mount Rushmore. 
With a pointing machine and a paintbrush 
I marked measurements on the rock.

The workers knew exactly where to drill 
Because I made the marks on the mountain.

Who drilled the holes in the mountain?

Each set of verses lead up to next person to be described: the stone carver, the "power man", the presidents, Borglum and his son--they are all there. The sidebars offer a biographical sketch and curious and interesting facts about each one. Illustrator Renee Graef, known to Catholic homeschoolers as the Laura Ingalls' picture books illustrator who captured so well the original Garth Williams pictures, and from Melissa Wiley's books' covers, did a fabulous job bringing the feeling of the Black Hills to her illustrations, as well as the historical and complex technical details of the carving. Her portraits of the four presidents sitting by their desks are also warm, rich and just lovely to enjoy.

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
1-30-2008

Winter Danger

Author(s): 
William O. Steele
Number of pages: 
183 pages
Copyright: 
1954
Publisher: 
Harcourt - Odyssey
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
19th century
United States
Pioneer
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Review: 
This is a somewhat unusual, but highly rewarding story of a half-wild woodsman (who "lived by the woods. He had no trade, he couldn't farm a lick or keep a store or run a tavern. All he knew to do was follow the bear and deer through the woods and sleep in caves and hollow trees.") and his eleven year old son Caje. Caje and his father travel through the wilderness - living off the land and escaping from unfriendly Indians. Although Caje would love to settle down in a real house among civilized people, his father is happier in the woods and frets about being "beholden to others". In the past Caje traveled with both of his parents throughout the warmer seasons and they all settled down in an abandoned house or with relatives during the winter. Now that Caje's mother has died, though, his father wants to stick to the wilds, even through the winter. They begin seeing signs, though, that the winter will be particularly bad and decide to go stay with Caje's aunt and uncle. Disgusted with "soft" living and feeling out of place, Caje's father leaves to spend the winter on his own. Now Caje is in an awkward position - he has the home and company he has so long desired, but lacks the skills to earn his keep (as he sees it). The winter gets really harsh as record cold spells and lack of good hunting take their toll on the family. The situation becomes more desperate when the family cow is killed by a hungry panther and Caje's uncle is seriously injured in a fall. Caje worries more and more that he is taking food away from the family, until he finally discovers how he can help the family out. Even after this great help he provides, he comes to realize that it isn't tallying up what we do for each other that really matters.

As an adventure and historical tale, this is a great read, but it offers a deeper level too. The story touches upon some very essential points about the purpose of civilization, family and loving one's neighbor. This is a fairly easy read for 2nd or 3rd grade and up but would also make a great read-aloud.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
6-5-02

Old Sam, Dakota Trotter

Author(s): 
Don Alonzo Taylor
Illustrator(s): 
Lorence Bjorklund
Number of pages: 
153 pages
Copyright: 
2008
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
19th century
United States
Pioneer
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
Fresh and as exciting as the first time I read it, Old Sam, Dakota Trotter is one horse of a story! 10-year-old Johnny Scott and his inseparable younger brother, Lee, go on a series of adventures in the Dakota territory with their beloved horse, Old Sam. From collecting buffalo bones to catching thieves to the thrilling climax at the 4th of July trotting race, the reader experiences the joys of two boys discovering the wonders and excitement of prairie life in the Dakota territory in the 1880s. For a real-life glimpse of homesteading and pioneering with all its drama, you won't want to miss Old Sam, Dakota Trotter. Boys will especially enjoy their adventures. This is a re-issue of the first Old Sam story previously reprinted as a Budget Book. An additional review is available in the archives.
Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
1-15-2009

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