Social Studies

•  Historical fiction for young readers (grades 4-8) : an introduction by John Thomas Gillespie (Libraries Unlimited, 2008, 489 p., $_____, ISBN: 9781591586210) Let’s look at this recommended list of historical fiction through a multicultural lens. Gillespie has been putting together collections of reviewed and recommended books for many many years and teacher librarians are probably using them as selection tools either in print form like this book or as a part of an automated selection system. Gillespie divides this collection into the following major categories: Europe, Asia and Oceania, Africa, Latin America and Canada (an odd combination), and the United States. Just guess which of those areas predominate in coverage? Well, Europe is first followed by the U.S. This is very interesting, since it demonstrates that the merger of U.S. and European publishers means that much of Great Britain and Europe has been infused into the U.S. market. And, Canada, don’t you have any historical fiction? Not evident here. Then there are the representative books of the rest of the world dwarfed by the two biggies. No wonder we are so Euro Central and insular! Not much is written or recommended by the standard review media about much of the world. It reminds us about the vicious cycle of non-multiculturalism, or bias. It means that we have to, as teacher librarians make a major effort to reach across our borders to find good stuff for our collections that help create understanding and good will. Use Gillespie’s work, of course, but can’t we find engaging works that our kids would want to read that reflect cultures and histories other than our own?

• Books about the Middle East : selecting and using them with children and adolescents by Tami Craft Al-Hazza and Katherine Toth Bucher (Linworth, 2008, 182 p., $ 39.95, ISBN: 1586832859) Combining the knowledge of teacher librarianship and expertise in Middle Eastern countries, these two authors have done yeoman service to teacher librarians by creating this guide to Middle Eastern culture as well as sources for inclusion in the collection. Chapters explain the cultures of the region and then provide annotated lists of materials complete with reviews and recommended levels for use. With so many of our children and teens whose parents are involved in the area, we all need to take a larger and more in depth view of these cultures to promote understanding and tolerance, particularly because we now have so many people here in this country who have migrated from these areas. We have not seen a better and more complete guide to this area. Materials may be out of print because titles reach back a ways, but it provides a guide to books not usually in the limelight. Be sure to check out the many activities with these materials suggested at the end of the volume. An essential purchase.

•  The teen guide to global action : how to connect with others (near & far) to create social change by Barbara A. Lewis (Free Spirit Pub., 2008, 134 p., $_____, ISBN: 9781575422664) With the economy in trouble, we can and should turn our attention to those around us in our neighborhoods and communities needing help and doing projects that will help those around us. Service projects, however, can take a whole new dimension when one extends a helping hand across borders and oceans. A year ago, at the national ASCD convention, two teachers keynoted the entire convention with a description of their global projects and the impact these activities had on their students motivation, learning, excitement, and new-found perspectives and understanding. Impressive indeed. In this volume that can be read by both teens and adults, dozens and dozens of ideas are recommended with all types of hows, whys, whens, and whos attached. Accroding to our speakers, such ideas can be ignited by just one student who might be given this book with an attached challenge and then the adults turn into coaches and help the teens take over. In today’s bored school kids, one need not fear that time taken on such projects will cut into scores. Rather, use them to boost skills, abilities, deep understanding, and most of all, caring. Highly recommended for solid ideas along with the ways and means.
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• African legends, myths, and folktales for readers theatre by Anthony D. Fredericks (Teacher Ideas Press, 2008, 166 p., $_____, ISBN: 9781591586333 For African American History Month and with any cultural celebration, readers theatre is not only appropriate but an almost instant and easy to prepare event. Fredericks, a master at creating readers theater has gathered and transforms stories from various countries all across the African continent. Props, masks, cultural images or backgrounds and even costumes can and could add flavor to the readings, but even unadorned, these tales will add an authentic touch. We recommend that some preparation with props be done, the performance be videotaped and added to the virtual learning commons of the school for parents and others to view. In the meantime, an instant performance with third grade readers and up can be a success. Parts can be easily copied for performance. An excellent addition to the multicultural shelves that will easily earn its keep.

• Shaped by the standards : geographic literacy through children's literature by Linda K. Rogers (Teacher Ideas Press, 2008,182 p., $_____, ISBN: 9781591584629) It has always been a good idea to build literacy and general knowledge at the same time. Look at your K-4 geography curriculum and realize that picture books are a great source of geographic literacy. Solid ideas for building two literacies simultaneously. Recommended.

• The flying Dutchman and other folktales from the Netherlands by Theo Meder (Libraies Unlimited, 2008, 260 p., $_____, ISBN: 9781591584902) A collection of Dutch culture and tales, this book can be a wonderful addition to the multicultural collection from a country that has historical ties to the founding of North America. Look over your current collection, whether elementary or secondary and see if you need representations from the Dutch culture. If so, this is an excellent collection.