Historical Books

Title: "Separate is Never Equal"

Author: Duncan Tonatiuh

Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 2014

ISBN: 978-4197-1054-4

Rating: 4/5

This historical picture book is about the desegregation of American schools in the 1940s based not he Mendez vs. Westminster School District Case. The story follows Sylvia and other Mexican children as they file a lawsuit against the Westminster School District which forces the Mexicans to attend an inferior segregated school. The case is pushed to the Supreme Court, and eventually Sylvia wins the right to attend Wesminster School where she is welcomed by friends.

I give this children's book a 4/5. I really like the content that is covered in this book, because it shows a true historical situation in the eyes of the child involved. Also, it includes real information and historical facts, while also including a narrative. My only concern is that the narrative is particularly long, and children may lose focus. Also, the pictures are very traditional and one dimensional. The pictures are cartoon style which takes away from the realistic element of the book. 

Title: "The Story of Money"

Author: Betsy Maestro

Illustrator: Giulio Maestro

Publisher: Clarion Books

Publication Date: 1993

ISBN: 0-395-56242-2

Rating: 4/5

"The Story of Money" follows the economic history of the world. It shows how over time the lifestyles of humans changed, causing a need for money. People who were once nomadic traders, eventually settled down and specialized into jobs. Silver was then the first metal money, and Chinese were the first to use paper money which The Europeans eventually adopted. Then, when the Constitution was developed in the United States a system of money was developed The book then goes on to show how money is printed and created. 

I give this book a 4/5. The content is very thorough, and it really goes through the progression of the use of the money and trade throughout the world. It even incorporates pictures of real money and coins used in different countries, and the paintings are very realistic and beautiful. On the other hand, this book is extremely look and there is a ton of content and words on each page. I don't think that many students would be able to pay attention to this whole book, even though it is more of a narrative than an information text. I think older students would be able to use this book for a history report, though. 

Title: "The Cats in Krasinksi Square"

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: 2004

ISBN: 0-439-43540-4

Rating: 5/5

"The Cats in Krasinksi Square" is a children's book about the Holocaust and life in Warsaw. The book is about a young Jewish girl who befriends the cats in Krazinski Square, but knows she cannot feed them, because she herself is starving. One day, there is a plan to smuggle lots of food into Warsaw, but the Gestapo figure it out and arrive with dogs. The men and women release the cats to distract the dogs, and this gives the Jewish people the opportunity to get the smuggled food.

I give this book a 5/5. Although some people may think this topic is too intense to talk about with younger children, I don't think we should hide things like this from young children. This story helps teach the children about the suffering of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, without including some of the more morbid materials. This is more of a narrative from the perspective of an innocent girl. Although the pictures are pretty basic, they are historically correct and definitely set the tone for the book.