Tales of Famous Americans

Tales of Famous Americans by Connie and Peter Roop is a book I think anyone above the age of 8 should pick up and read.  It has short biographies of a diverse group of people including Pocahontas, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, the Wright Brothers, and Yo-Yo Ma.  It could be used as a read aloud for students as well.  The authors have another book, Tales of Famous Heroes, that I look forward to finding at the library as well. 

exploring history

Last year, I purchased a year's membership to the Minnesota Historical Society.  The membership allows a person to visit any of the historic sites at no additional charge. Last August, I went to Historic Fort Snelling for the first time in my life and was intrigued and would recommend it to everyone.


The same day I went to the James J. Hill house in St. Paul.  Another place I enjoyed touring.  I was amazed at the size of the house. 

Yesterday, I visited the Oliver H. Kelley Farm.  I am not sure I would put it on my list of places to go again, but I had driven by the sign for it on Highway 10 often enough to wonder what it was like.  The animals were actually the highlight for me.  There were a couple of groups of sheep trotting around the yard.  They hadn't been shorn yet, so their hair was pretty scruffy looking.

This sow was quite large (I don't remember my grandma's pigs being that big) and ugly.  It made me laugh.

Other sites I have been to this year are the Lindbergh Historic Site, Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, and the Minnesota History Center. 

I would recommend buying a membership to the Minnesota Historical Society and then taking the time to visit some of the places that have been important in our state's history.  Memberships are available for individuals and families and last one year.  It will broaden your understanding of Minnesota's.  I hope to visit at least one or two more places before my membership is up, even if it is a repeat visit to Historic Fort Snelling.

Sing for Me

Sing for Me by Karen Halvorsen Schreck is the novel I finished reading last night.  Rose Sorenson loves to sing.  She lives in Chicago in 1937.  One night, her cousin Rob convinces her to go to Calliope's, a night club with jazz music.  Her life is forever changed.  This is a complex story about family, race, and love.  The book is a good choice for a book club as well as for those who like to read stories with substance. 

Cold, Crunchy, Colorful

Cold, Crunchy, Colorful: Using Our Senses by Jane Brocket is a book I picked up recently at the library.  Brocket has taken beautiful photographs to depict the wide variety of things that the five senses helps us understand.  She also has other picture books about adjectives, shapes, color, and numbers.  This book is worth browsing through if you enjoy photography.  It is also a book that would make a great addition to an elementary teacher's materials for a unit on the five senses.  Brocket also has other books similar to this covering topics of patterns, shapes, numbers, texture, and color.

Runaway Saint

I read most of this book, Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson, last night.  It tells the story of Sara and her family.  Sara lives in Baltimore with her husband Finn.  Her mom lives outside of Baltimore in a tent on an organic farm.  Sara's dad lives nearby in a house he built himself.  Without notice, her Aunt Bel shows up after a twenty year absence.  This is a story about spiritual journeys and the complexities of family.  A well written story with very human but likable characters.

Wonder

I finished reading Wonder by R. J. Palacio this weekend.  This is a novel written for children but would be worth reading if you are an educator or parent.  If I had fourth, fifth, or sixth grade students, I would consider reading it to them.  The story is of a boy named August "Auggie" Pullman.  He has a seriously deformed face and has always been homeschooled.  This is the story of Auggie's year as a fifth grade student in a school.  I liked how Palacio tells the story from the perspective of different characters, not just Auggie.  A well told story that kept me reading. I recommend you pick up to read, either by yourself or with your child.