Best Children's European History Books
The Allied forces, led by American generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, are gaining control of Europe, leaving German leaders scrambling. “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal on Lincoln's Last Days. Bill O'Reilly is a former high-school history teacher and the author of several number one bestselling books, including Lincoln's Last Days and Killing Kennedy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For example, I learned some things about the Battle of the Buldge which I never knew and some very interesting insights into General Patton which I never realized."
"This is a very easy read."
"Most of this books content is also in the Killing Patton book and appears to be for readers that do not intend to get the Patton book."
"A couple of years ago I did visit many of the places that was covered in this book."
"Very good Bill O'Reilly book."
"I gained insight into the inter working of Hitler's peculiarities during the last days of WWII."
"The name of the house was the Berghof, not the Eagle's Nest."
"The visuals of Hitler's bunker and the Eagle's Nest were both quite descriptive (visualizing those 5 tunnels through the mountain on winding roads really got me) and I felt rather claustrophobic when thinking of living in the bunker."
Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations. A family tree and a “cast of characters” profile page help make relationships between the characters clear, and a mapping feature adds to the fun and fascination. A few of her award-winning children's books include Stones in Water (winner of the Golden Kite Award and the Sydney Taylor Award), Alligator Bayou (a Parents' Choice Gold book for historical fiction), Daughter of Venice (Nevada Young Readers' Award), Albert (Kentucky Bluegrass Award), and Mama Miti (Anne Izard's Storytellers' Choice Award and the Bock Book Award). Christina Balit has illustrated a number of children's books, including Atlantis and Escape from Pompeii .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was hoping this book would be more like what I use to read in school."
"Arrived quickly and as described!"
"Exactly what I wanted and more."
"I already knew a lot of this but this book is a fun refresher."
"There are lots of detailed pictures and information."
"great first greek myths book for kids, cool pictures."
Naming their secret club after the fiery British leader, the young patriots in the Churchill Club committed countless acts of sabotage, infuriating the Germans, who eventually had the boys tracked down and arrested. Gr 7 Up—A group of Danish middle school boys, led by 15-year-old Knud Pedersen, decided to resist German occupation in Denmark despite the government's acceptance. Naming themselves the Churchill Club, they began by changing directional signs and cutting communication wires. VERDICT Many students will be interested in this work of nonfiction that shows a different perspective of life during World War II.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI A School Library Journal Best Book of 2015. “Told in straightforward, even prosaic language, this account will help young readers imagine themselves in the midst of the unimaginable ― and will show them how kids much like them managed to survive.” ― The New York Times. “Their story is one of bravery in the face of constant danger and of increasingly meaningful acts of sabotage . An important and unforgettable book that adds a significant chapter to the history of WWII.” ― Booklist , starred review. Hoose brilliantly weaves Pedersen's own words into the larger narrative of Denmark's stormy social and political wartime climate.” ― The Horn Book, starred review.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Would love a bit more historical context."
"This was an interesting nonfiction book about a group of teenagers who refused to cave in to the Nazis during their occupation of Denmark."
"My 12-year-old son, who REFUSES to read like you'd refuse cyanide, actually read this book!"
"The story is amazing- the bravery of these boys was astonishing."
"Reminds me of part of the Cadets' Prayer at West Point, which goes something like this: Help me, O God, to chose the harder right instead of the easier wrong...."
"Gave as a gift."
"Actually, I did not read this book."
Best Children's Medieval History Books
Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations. A family tree and a “cast of characters” profile page help make relationships between the characters clear, and a mapping feature adds to the fun and fascination. A few of her award-winning children's books include Stones in Water (winner of the Golden Kite Award and the Sydney Taylor Award), Alligator Bayou (a Parents' Choice Gold book for historical fiction), Daughter of Venice (Nevada Young Readers' Award), Albert (Kentucky Bluegrass Award), and Mama Miti (Anne Izard's Storytellers' Choice Award and the Bock Book Award). Christina Balit has illustrated a number of children's books, including Atlantis and Escape from Pompeii .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was hoping this book would be more like what I use to read in school."
"Arrived quickly and as described!"
"Exactly what I wanted and more."
"I already knew a lot of this but this book is a fun refresher."
"There are lots of detailed pictures and information."
"great first greek myths book for kids, cool pictures."
Best Children's Military & War History Books
The Allied forces, led by American generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, are gaining control of Europe, leaving German leaders scrambling. “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal on Lincoln's Last Days. Bill O'Reilly is a former high-school history teacher and the author of several number one bestselling books, including Lincoln's Last Days and Killing Kennedy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For example, I learned some things about the Battle of the Buldge which I never knew and some very interesting insights into General Patton which I never realized."
"This is a very easy read."
"Most of this books content is also in the Killing Patton book and appears to be for readers that do not intend to get the Patton book."
"A couple of years ago I did visit many of the places that was covered in this book."
"Very good Bill O'Reilly book."
"I gained insight into the inter working of Hitler's peculiarities during the last days of WWII."
"The name of the house was the Berghof, not the Eagle's Nest."
"The visuals of Hitler's bunker and the Eagle's Nest were both quite descriptive (visualizing those 5 tunnels through the mountain on winding roads really got me) and I felt rather claustrophobic when thinking of living in the bunker."
Best Teen & Young Adult History eBooks
The Allied forces, led by American generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, are gaining control of Europe, leaving German leaders scrambling. “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal on Lincoln's Last Days. Bill O'Reilly is a former high-school history teacher and the author of several number one bestselling books, including Lincoln's Last Days and Killing Kennedy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For example, I learned some things about the Battle of the Buldge which I never knew and some very interesting insights into General Patton which I never realized."
"This is a very easy read."
"Most of this books content is also in the Killing Patton book and appears to be for readers that do not intend to get the Patton book."
"A couple of years ago I did visit many of the places that was covered in this book."
"Very good Bill O'Reilly book."
"I gained insight into the inter working of Hitler's peculiarities during the last days of WWII."
"The name of the house was the Berghof, not the Eagle's Nest."
"The visuals of Hitler's bunker and the Eagle's Nest were both quite descriptive (visualizing those 5 tunnels through the mountain on winding roads really got me) and I felt rather claustrophobic when thinking of living in the bunker."
Best Teen & Young Adult Adventure & Adventurers eBooks
Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, struggles to adapt to living in Berkenhout, away from her family and friends. Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building the underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants stay safe. The characters are well drawn and the historical details convincing, not surprising since the author tells us in a foreword that her mother was Dutch and was in Holland during these troubling times. The Hidden Village, however, while just as true to the horrors of the Holocaust, allows the readers to not just be reminded of what has happened but to also be able to immerse themselves into a world of well written fiction. Storytelling is of a superb quality, and she has the ability to bring vividly to life these very hard and brutal times in a clear fashion, as well as the atmosphere in which the Jews had to live in WWII, and all that in a gripping and heart-breaking way within this wonderful tale. Born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father, the family moved to England when Imogen was very young.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"During World War 11, a group of Jews hid from the Germans by living in underground huts in this village. This group of rescuers gathered food and other necessities for the hundreds of people who eventually lived in this hidden village. Imogen Matthews used archive materials, letters, photos, interviews, and a book called ‘Het Verscholen Dorp’ by A. Visser which was an account of this village. She also used this book as a way of writing down the stories her own mother told of the years spent in Holland during its occupation by the Germans."
"This is part of the story of the Holocaust I knew nothing about."
"This historically based, yet fictional account of the atrocities suffered during WWII in Holland is exceptionally riveting."
"I found this very hard to put down, every lunch trying to squeeze in 5 more minutes, or to finish the chapter."
"Very interesting to learn how German citizens suffered while Hitler was trying to conquer the world."
"i thoroughly enjoyed this book."
"It was a good book and kept my interest."
"I really liked the book."
Best Children's Asian History Books
Publishers Weekly Best Book * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children's Book * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice. She witnesses neighbors being beaten to death, her best friend's grandmother's suicide, the systematic degradation of her father, and endless public humiliations. She makes it very clear that the atrocities were the inevitable result of the confusion and fanaticism manipulated by unscrupulous leaders for their own petty ends. ?John Philbrook, formerly at San Francisco Public Library. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. A child's nightmare unfolds in Jiang's chronicle of the excesses of Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution in China in the late 1960s. In the name of the revolution, homes were searched and possessions taken or destroyed, her father imprisoned, and her mother's health imperiled--until the next round of revolutionaries came in and reversed many of the dicta of the last.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is an excellent read for anyone interested in what is was like to live in China during the Cultural Revolution as a young teenager."
"It is the story of a bright, talented young woman who later left China, with its Communist principles, behind."
"First of all, Jiang tries to incorporate a love story into her book. Other than that, this is a great book which I recommend everyone reading: afterwards you can show off your knowledge on the Cultural Revolution!"
"Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang was the first book to make me cry. This book is like Harry Potter but real and not magic. Filled with worry, fear, confusion, and all sorts of miserable and negative things. This is the part in a normal book when I would come back to reality and remember that it's not real. Instead I remember that this was real and this girl who would other wise be brilliant, respected and loved is slowly becoming more and more depressed and lost. The brilliant girl who was at the beginning of the book respected by everyone is bow nothing but a black welp. Red Scarf girl is a true heart warming story that can make anybody's bad day a good one."
"Jiang Ji Li tells her story simply and without rancor as a child experiencing the pain and confusion of a horrendous era."
"Enjoyed reading."
"I do recommend this book to people who are strong and really would like to learn about this era, otherwise I think this book will just tear you down."
"I hope millennials and NFL players will read this book and appreciate the blessings we enjoy in this country, the USA."
Best Children's African History Books
For every young brown, yellow, and purple dancer, she is an inspiration!” —Misty Copeland, world-renowned ballet dancer Michaela DePrince was known as girl Number 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted. In this engaging, moving, and unforgettable memoir, Michaela shares her dramatic journey from an orphan in West Africa to becoming one of ballet’s most exciting rising stars. Her supportive family did everything they could to help her attain her goal, but the girl still encountered challenges, including prejudice from those who believed African American dancers to be less suited for the craft ("'Black girls just shouldn't be dancing ballet. An uplifting story about overcoming the odds.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL "There is plenty of ballet detail for dance lovers to revel in, and the authors achieve a believable, distinctive teenage voice with a nice touch of lyrical description."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am amazed, excited, thankful and even relieved that she adopted by parents who helped each one of their children prepare for their future no matter the cost: physical, emotional or financial."
"Reading her story has really helped me see what it means to push through the bad times and that hard work and dedication will pay off even if at the moment it doesn't seem like it."
"This was a great book for all ages."
"Her beginning with her birth parents was beautiful but then the harsh realities of war, illness and culture took center stage, devestating her young life."
"The story of this extraordinary young woman's life speaks and delivers hope."
"Her parents are an inspiration to all of us, and Michaela's courage, hard work, and innate artistry are an example of what can be achieved when a gifted child is given the opportunity to let her spirit truly Take Flight."
"It's quite fascinating to have a first-hand perspective on a child's life in Africa, how she ended up in America, and how she acheived her dream of becoming a professional Ballerina through the support of her adoptive family."
"I will be reading this book again and again in the days to come, and to every person out there who is reading my words, "Buy this book and treasure it!""
Best Children's Modern History Books
Read their incredible stories: The Children’s Blizzard, 1888. The Titanic Disaster, 1912. The Great Boston Molasses Flood, 1919. The Japanese Tsunami, 2011. The Henryville Tornado, 2012. Gr 2–5—Tarshis retells the stories of five natural disasters, including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the Children's Blizzard of 1888, and the Henryville Tornado in 2012, from the third-person perspective of a young person who survived each of the events. Ideal for a high-interest pick or a read-aloud for older students.—Vicki Reutter, State University of New York at Cortland Praise for I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters : "The narratives are factual yet still lively and suspenseful enough to hook readers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Enjoyed this book and I think my 9 yr old great-nephew will enjoy also."
"We like how they are all in one book instead of having separate books for each story."
"Historical fiction that captures the attention of the elementary reader."
"I know some of the material matter may be dark, or hard, for some kids, but he likes history and learning about others."
"awesome book for my students!"
"My son Carter is 8 years old and we LOVE to read the I survived series together."
Best Children's Mexican History Books
The Alamo was a crucial turning point in the Texas Revolution, and led to the creation of the Republic of Texas. Pamela Pollack and Meg Belviso have co-authored several children's books, including Who Was J.K. Rowling?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"my kids all love the who/what was series."
"Great for adults and children."
"Sensitive children might be disturbed by this though I guess many kids see far worse on tv and video games."
"I bought this book for my 11 year old son who is taking a trip to Texas this summer with his grandparents and the Alamo will be one of the places that they will get to see."
"I liked it beacause it tells you what happened before , in the middle and at the end of the battle of the Alamo I like history a lot so I loved the book it's really a good book !!!"
"Nice book for my 12 year old granddaughter."
"Very easy read, it is a kids book, but I wanted some basic info about the Alamo and this fit the bill."
Best Children's Canadian History Books
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. “Disasters make for gripping reading, and this account of the huge explosion of a munitions ship and its devastating effects in Halifax Harbor, Canada, in 1917 tells the dramatic history with clear detailed facts.” ― Booklist. “Halifax does indeed have a story to tell, but Walker once again proves that it's her consummate gifts as a storyteller that breathe life into the tale.” ― The Horn Book.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is the third book on this subject I have read and I have found all of them to be riveting reading."
"Very good read, very interesting story."
"If you are unfamiliar with the explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1917 then this book would be of interest to you. This story is familiar to people in Boston because every year the city's Christmas tree is sent by the people of Halifax."
"While there is a lot of talk about teaching with informational texts - to align with the Common Core, there is not necessarily as much about students just reading, reading, reading these texts - independently."
"Well written and very descriptive of the events and the personal lives of the people affected."
"it is a short read but very nicely developed (chronologically) and gives you a good sense of the causes that led to the explosion, the events of the disaster and the aftermath and the effects on the population."
"My husband and I are planning a vacation to Nova Scotia and I have been trying to learn all I can about Nova Scotia before we go."
Best Children's Ancient History Books
Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids. Each Story of the World volume provides a full year of history study when combined with the Activity Book, Audiobook, and Tests—each available separately to accompany each volume of The. Story of the World Text Book. “This may well be the best multi-age read aloud narrative of world history yet to have been written.”. - Homeschooling in Japan Susan Wise Bauer is an educator and academic who has worked with parents and students for more than twenty years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Up through to the end of 3rd grade in the public school system, the only exposure she'd had to history is to the timespan just before and just after the American revolutionary war. But I didn't want it to turn into a grind for her, so I took the authors' intentions to heart and I'm using this series to form a groundwork for a basic understanding of history. So all the complaints about inaccuracies in the book and the author's religious slant (which I didn't find and I was looking for), they don't matter. What really matters is that my daughter enjoys learning about history (it's her favorite class) and she's building a foundation that can be built on in later years. All history books will turn up people who will disagree with the content, will find inaccuracies in the material, or won't agree with the author's point of view."
"I have been reading this to my 7 year old boy ( we started it when he was 6) and he is absolutely captivated."
"Our school year hasn't started yet."
"We love this book."
"I was a little worried what my kids will think, but they LOVE this narration."
"We also spent some time in other sources during the Roman chapters just because there's so much there in the records, and this volume brought up subjects we wanted to investigate further."
"If you are really into the activity book, make sure you get the newer version."
"I was very hesitant to purchase this book at first, due to some of the negative reviews."
Best Children's Holocaust History Books
In her quiet watchmaking shop, she and her family risk their lives to hide Jews, and others hunted by the Nazis, in a secret room, a "hiding place" that they built in the old building. In her quiet watchmaking shop, she and her family risk their lives to hide Jews, and others hunted by the Nazis, in a secret room, a "hiding place" that they built in the old building. Her family owned a watch repair shop, which housed the "hiding place" where many Jewish people and Resistance workers hid for their lives. Elizabeth and John Sherrill have co-authored numerous bestsellers--classics such as The Hiding Place , The Cross and the Switchblade , and God's Smuggler-- and have traveled the world researching and writing articles and books.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is the remarkable story of a remarkable family that literally laid their lives out to save Jews in Holland during WWII. I only wish that I could do something good for any person that would give respect for the wonderful people in this story."
"The remaining half was filled with the author's explanations of how he wrote the book."
"Though the story is set in such a terrible time, the hopefulness and commitment to faith is what should be taken from it in the end."
"Inspiring to say the least."
"I read this book many, many years ago."
"In these times of evil, I wonder if I will have the clarity and certainty to be a Christian and follow Jesus no matter the cost as Corrie and Betsie did."
"What a story."
"I started this book with curiosity about how they hid people during this time and became quickly humbled by their faith and lives."
Best Children's Prehistoric History Books
The third title in National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, this book is for kids 4- to 8-years-old who LOVE dinos! Catherine D. Hughes is the author of several books in the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, including Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , Little Kids First Big Book of Space , and Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book was clearly designed for younger kids, because it has large print, pronunciation guides for all the dinosaur names, and imagination style questions associated with each dinosaur, like "if you could have a pet dinosaur, what would you name it?" If you are looking for a dinosaur book for older kids, there is also the "National Geographic Kids First Book of Big Dinosaurs", not to be confused with this book for "Little" kids."
"This book reads like an encyclopedia and not a story; however, they have shortened the information to 1 page per dinosaur which keeps a child's interest and a complete page with a picture illustration of the dinosaur."
"My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I love this book!!"
"Some of the more commonly known dinosaurs are conspicuously absent or the illustrations don't show you how to tell them apart from other similar species."
"Illustrations are on point and love how they break down the names of each dinosaur."
"Good for younger kids and older...I'd say 3 to 8 ish."
"My daughter and nephew both got a copy of this book and they both LOVE IT!"
"Very cool book!"
Best Children's Renaissance History Books
From armored tanks and gliders to "plastic glass" and drawing machines, this interactive book explores the incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects and activities. Anderson introduces each project with an explanation of why Leonardo came up with the idea and whether he created just the sketch or the sketch and the object. Readers will probably be more interested in the activities than in Leonardo's life and the Renaissance background that Anderson provides, but this title will be a welcome addition to schools in which cross-curricular teaming is in place. The New York Times Book Review "Anderson regales us with tales of Leonardo's brilliant, often mischievous nature, and the nearly unfathomable range of his inventions." Calliope Magazine " Amazing Leonardo Inventions You Can Build Yourself by Maxine Anderson is a terrific resource, with its detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams and templates for creating projects that Leonardo designed. Chosen as one of "Our Favorite Things" for the 2006 holidays by Family Fun Magazine "Decoding Da Vinci's sometimes ingenious, sometimes outlandish discoveries proves to be great fun in Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself ".
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is good for 8+ year old inventor types."
"This is cool."
"Got this for my son for Christmas."
"The more involved projects don’t seem to fit our needs as they are too complicated to finish in an hour."
"I purchased this book after I saw the "Leonardo di Vinci" exhibit at my local museum."
"I can't comment on the content since I purchased this as a Christmas present for my technically inclined 12 year old nephew."
"The book doesn't has well documented steps and you can never bring yourself to build any of the inventions yourself."
Best Children's Middle Eastern History Books
Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. In this Young Readers Edition of her bestselling memoir, which has been reimagined specifically for a younger audience and includes exclusive photos and material, we hear firsthand the remarkable story of a girl who knew from a young age that she wanted to change the world -- and did. Her strong voice and ideals come across on every page, emphasizing how her surroundings and supportive family helped her become the relevant figure she is today. "Although her efforts to attend school, and the subsequent attack she endured, make for a powerful story, Yousafzai writes just as vividly about her daily life as a child in Pakistan.... Yousafzai's fresh, straightforward voice creates an easily read narrative that will introduce a slew of younger readers to both her story and her mission. [Yousafzai's] strong voice and ideals come across on every page, emphasizing how her surroundings and supportive family helped her become the relevant figure she is today....― SLJ.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 11-year old son read this and was so touched and inspired by Malala's story."
"Her voice is very clear, and my students felt like they "got to know her" well."
"This is such an uplifting book to read."
"I found "I AM Malala" to be very well written and full of detailed information about her previous life, her school, friends and family times before she was shot by the Taliban."
"***********NO SPOILER REVIEW**********. What a sad, hopeful, beautiful story this is."
""I Am Malala" tells the story of a young woman who yearned for knowledge and education in Pakistan, a country where the Taliban persecutes the education of women, and who almost paid for these things with her life. Although the story of Malala's life and the history of the country are definitely worth reading, the flow of this book is hard to follow at times. Moreover, even though this is Malala's memoir, it seems that the book tells more about Pakistan and her extended family, which can leave the reader questioning if this book should truly be called a memoir for about half of the book."
"I feel moved for malala's goal of making education more accessible in some countries because this is a goal that aims to change so many social problems."
Best Children's United States History Books
World War II is nearly over in Europe, but in the Pacific, American soldiers face an enemy who will not surrender, despite a massive and mounting death toll. "A skillfully organized overview of the fall of the Third Reich, O’Reilly’s summary coordinates text with graphic photos for maximum impact." “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a redo of the part of O'Reilly's book "Killing the Rising Sun" which covered the entire war."
"I’ve read books and watched documentaries on this subject before but I can always count on Bill O’Reilly to add information to a subject I thought I pretty much knew."
"The books that O'Reilly has written make history jump out at you, it is much more than just memorization dates of events that happened."
"Gives a great look at what lead up to the development of the bomb and why it was dropped."
"I haven't had time to read this yet, but, I am anxious to do so."
"I bought this as a gift for my dad and he has re-read it, he loves it."
"I've read many books about World War II, and this is a good one."
"I recommended this book to all my friends."
Best Children's Exploration History
“Much like The Boy In the Striped Pajamas or The Book Thief ,” this remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list, “brings to readers a story of bravery and the fight for a chance to live” ( VOYA ). Amazon Best Books of the Month, August 2013: For readers ages 11 and up, Leon Leyson’s remarkable memoir, The Boy on the Wooden Box , is the moving account of a happy childhood shattered by the Holocaust. As the youngest member of Schindler’s list, Leyson offers a unique perspective on the man who became his lifelong hero and his first-hand account of day-to-day existence in the factory--which did not alleviate the fear or deprivation--and his personal interaction with Schindler is powerful and special.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I would recommend this book to anyone especially to those who think they have life so tough."
"Amazing story that should never be forgotten."
"A great book, everyone should read."
"This is a sad story of how so many people have no value of a life."
"Great read."
"So sad what happened and although we have read about it before, from so many stories and movies, this book had a different view."
"The Boy in The Wooden Box was a great book, it was hard to put down."
"I have read many books about the Holocaust as well as seen many movies on the subject."
Best Children's Latin American History
The amazing story of the trapped Chilean miners and their incredible rescue that Publishers Weekly calls “a riveting, in-depth recounting of the events that held the world rapt.” In early August 2010, the unthinkable happened when a mine collapsed in Copiano, Chile, trapping 33 miners 2,000 feet below the surface. With its natural tension and everyday heroes, Trapped is that rarest of nonfiction beasts: A contemporary work of historical fact that has you gripping the edge of your seat. I didn’t follow the disaster very closely when it was occurring back in 2010, but one thing I do remember is hearing that one of the miners had the awkward problem of being visited via the hole by both his wife and his mistress. At the end of Trapped Aronson includes a section called “How I Wrote This Book: And what I learned that could be useful for students writing research reports (and a couple of last thoughts from men I interviewed). Aronson not only does a fine job of chronicling both the physical and mental ordeals the Chilean miners faced, but explains how the problem occurred, provides historical background, and details the various participants in the rescue attempts. Aronson not only does a fine job of chronicling both the physical and mental ordeals the Chilean miners faced, but explains how the problem occurred, provides historical background, and details the various participants in the rescue attempts…fascinating reading!.... “Aronson delivers a captivating account of the mine collapse…[and] crafts vivid portraits of the miners’ experiences underground, as well as those of the families and countrymen breathlessly awaiting their safe return.”. “Aronson marks the one-year anniversary of the collapse of a Chilean copper mine that entombed miners for more than two months with a riveting, in-depth recounting of the events that held the world rapt… Twelve short chapters with photos and diagrams keep the story well-paced as it alternates between above- and below-ground scenes, detailing the heroic efforts of the trapped men, their waiting families, and their rescuers, sometimes on an hour-by-hour basis. S&S/Atheneum, $16.99 (144p) ISBN 978-1-4169-1397-9 Aronson marks the one-year anniversary of the collapse of a Chilean copper mine that entombed miners for more than two months with a riveting, in-depth recounting of the events that held the world rapt. Initial chapters cover mine layout and terminology, as well as prehistoric geology (and how it helped form Chile's Atacama Desert) and the mythology of the blacksmith god, Hephaistos, who "creates the tool the hero needs, and yet he is lame, ugly, a figure of fun." Twelve short chapters with photos and diagrams keep the story well-paced as it alternates between above- and below-ground scenes, detailing the heroic efforts of the trapped men, their waiting families, and their rescuers, sometimes on an hour-by-hour basis. Photographs, maps, diagrams and a wild range of literary references, from Merlin to Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Hephaistos, enliven the volume. The author uses these familiar touch points to help tell a complicated story, blending them with such highly technical information as mining machinery to keep his narrative flowing.”. It was a gripping story then, and Aronson manages to make it even more exciting, more inspirational, and more personal, all by gathering pieces of the puzzle and showing how they fit together. The global response to the disaster was enormous, with organizations, governments, and individuals from. Australia. , New Zealand. , the. United States. , and. Japan. offering resources and expertise to find a solution. It was a gripping story then, and Aronson manages to make it even more exciting, more inspirational, and more personal, all by gathering pieces of the puzzle and showing how they fit together. The global response to the disaster was enormous, with organizations, governments, and individuals from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Japan offering resources and expertise to find a solution. He also details, in depth, the goings-on topside—the incredible rescue effort that included “everyone from experts on undersea and underground to outer space.” Another strong point of Aronson’s book is the helpful background info he provides: he delves into forty-million-year-old geological history (“the great dance of the shifting continents”) and discusses the economic conditions that drew men to San José, a mine with no escape routes, “where a man can get work if he doesn’t ask too many questions.” Peppered with engaging quotes, the text is fluid and attention-grabbing. “Much more than just a chronicle of the Chilean mining disaster of 2010, Aronson’s well-researched and riveting book gives readers the sense that they’re in the San José copper mine…Peppered with engaging quotes, the text is fluid and attention-grabbing.”. Only the most news-averse adolescents would have failed to note last year’s disaster at the San Jose copper mine in northern Chile and its nail-biting aftermath in which teams of rescue workers struggled to make contact with the trapped miners, sustain them physically and emotionally, and finally devise a system to bring them safely to the surface. Here Aronson reassembles the events into a single comprehensive report, which not only covers the rescue effort but also offers background on sketchy mining practices and even the regional geology that gives birth to the veins of copper that makes its way into manufactured goods in industrialized nations. There’s something here to rivet just about anyone, from gearheads who follow the approaches to drilling, to humanists who empathize with the trapped men and their anxious families, to nascent activists who recognize that behind the heroics lies a corrupt, neglectful system of mine operation that endangers workers to maximize profit. “There’s something here to rivet just about anyone, from gearheads who follow the approaches to drilling, to humanists who empathize with the trapped men and their anxious families, to nascent activists who recognize that behind the heroics lies a corrupt, neglectful system of mine operation that endangers workers to maximize profit. “Aronson zips readers through a whirlwind primer….The succinct text is enhanced by a strong selection of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, all of which help make the abstract technical issues clear. The extensive back matter includes biographical sketches of the miners, as well as a glossary, time line, bibliography, and list of suggested websites. On August 5, 2010, Raul Villegas was driving a truck deep in the San José mine in northern Chile when. 700,000 tons of rock fell onto the road behind him. After setting the stage with the crisis, Aronson zips readers through a whirlwind primer on geology, mining history and methods, copper, and. Chilean economic conditions. The succinct text is enhanced by a strong selection of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, all of which help make the abstract technical issues clear. The extensive back matter includes biographical sketches of the miners, as well as a glossary, time line, bibliography, and list of suggested websites. “Aronson marks the one-year anniversary of the collapse of a Chilean copper mine that entombed miners for more than two months with a riveting, in-depth recounting of the events that held the world rapt… Twelve short chapters with photos and diagrams keep the story well-paced as it alternates between above- and below-ground scenes, detailing the heroic efforts of the trapped men, their waiting families, and their rescuers, sometimes on an hour-by-hour basis. Photographs, maps, diagrams and a wild range of literary references, from Merlin to Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Hephaistos, enliven the volume. The author uses these familiar touch points to help tell a complicated story, blending them with such highly technical information as mining machinery to keep his narrative flowing.”. It was a gripping story then, and Aronson manages to make it even more exciting, more inspirational, and more personal, all by gathering pieces of the puzzle and showing how they fit together. The global response to the disaster was enormous, with organizations, governments, and individuals from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Japan offering resources and expertise to find a solution. “Much more than just a chronicle of the Chilean mining disaster of 2010, Aronson’s well-researched and riveting book gives readers the sense that they’re in the San JosÉ copper mine…Peppered with engaging quotes, the text is fluid and attention-grabbing.”. “There’s something here to rivet just about anyone, from gearheads who follow the approaches to drilling, to humanists who empathize with the trapped men and their anxious families, to nascent activists who recognize that behind the heroics lies a corrupt, neglectful system of mine operation that endangers workers to maximize profit. “Aronson zips readers through a whirlwind primer….The succinct text is enhanced by a strong selection of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, all of which help make the abstract technical issues clear. The extensive back matter includes biographical sketches of the miners, as well as a glossary, time line, bibliography, and list of suggested websites. Aronson not only does a fine job of chronicling both the physical and mental ordeals the Chilean miners faced, but explains how the problem occurred, provides historical background, and details the various participants in the rescue attempts…fascinating reading!.... “Aronson delivers a captivating account of the mine collapse…[and] crafts vivid portraits of the miners’ experiences underground, as well as those of the families and countrymen breathlessly awaiting their safe return.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 11-year old daughter had to read it for summer reading and it was so well written for a middle schooler."
"This book was on our summer reading list for middle school...my daughter loved it."
"It was a fun book that I hope to read another day of my life and I will be happy to see it again."
"It is such a great Story."
"This is basically a narrative of a mine cave in."
"intriguing background information to what these hero's endured."
"It's an okay read but trying to enlarge graphics is a nightmare."
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Each book in our Living in… series is narrated by a kid growing up in their home country and is filled with fresh, modern illustrations as well as loads of history, geography, and cultural goodies that fit perfectly into Common Core standards. When I read these two books, I was hoping [kids] would enjoy these books as much as I did.
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