SOCIAL STUDIES

Cultural Anthropology

          Cisneros, S. (1994).  House on Mango Street.  New York: A. A. Knopf. 

Life in the Latino section of Chicago is described by a young girl.  She faces many obstacles, but finds ways to overcome them.  (3^rd-5^th) [I, II, IV].

Flournoy, V. (1985).  The patchwork quilt.  New York: Dial.

While making a quilt with her grandmother, Tonya realizes how valuable family stories and memories are to an individual. (1^st-3^rd) [I, IV, II].

Maclachlan, P. (1994).  All the places to love.  New York: Harper Collins

Eli realizes that the farm that he grew up on will always be home to him no matter where his future takes him. (2^nd-3^rd) [I, V, III].          

Polacco, P. (1982).  Thundercake.  New York: Paper Star.

A young girl in Michigan is scared of storms so her grandmother bakes special cake to relieve her fears. (1^st-3^rd) [IV, V, VIII]

Rylant, C. (1982).  When I was young in the mountains.  New York: E.P.

Dutton.

A young girl describes her childhood growing up in the Appalachian Mountains.  (2^nd-4^th grade) [I, II, III].

Economics

          Brown, M.  (1991). Stone soup.  New York: Simon & Schuster

When three soldiers approach the townspeople they hide their food.  The solider come up with an idea to make stone soup.

The town’s people are amazed by their invention, and decide to contribute the missing ingredients.  (1^st-3^rd grade) [I, V, VII].

Hall, D.  (1997). The ox-cart man.  New York: Scholastic

The story of a family who worked all winter, spring, and summer to sell items at the market.  (grades 2^nd-3^rd) [VII,II,V]

          Parton, D.  (1994).  Coat of many colors.  New York:  Harper Collins

A mother sews together a gift of rags so her daughter will have a coat.  When everyone at school makes fun of her she knows that it was made out of love.  (1^st-4^th) [I, VII, IV].                       

          Williams, V.  (1982).  A chair for my mother.  New York: Greenwillow

A fire destroys family’s belongings.  The mother, grandmother, and daughter save their money to buy a new chair.  (K-3^rd) [ II, IV, VIII].

          Ziefert, H.  (1986).  A new coat for Anna.  New York: Harper Collins.

Anna’s mother does not have enough money to buy her a much needed new coat.  Anna’s mother makes deals with different people in order to get the coat made.  (1^st-4^th) [II, III, VIII].

Geography

Bates, K.  (2001).  America the beautiful.  New York: Scholastic.

A photograph book of beautiful sites throughout the geographical regions of the United States. (K-2^nd grade) [I, II, III].

Dorros, A.  (1992).  This is my house.  New York: Scholastic.

This book has descriptions and illustrations of house all around the world.  (2^nd-4^th grade) [I, III, VII]. 

Lyon, G.  (1998).  Counting on the woods.  New York: DK Publishing, Inc

A book of poetry about the woods of Appalachians of Kentucky.(1^st-3rd) [III, V, I].

Riehle, M.M. (2004).  M  is for Mountain State: A  West Virginia alphabet.

Chelsea, MN: Sleeping Bear Press.

The delightful book shares historical & geographical facts about West Virginia.  (2^nd-3^rd grade)[III, II, I].

Say, A.  (1993).  Grandfather’s Journey.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.

A Japanese immigrant’s heart has been possessed with love for both the United States and Japan.  The war has forced him to stay in Japan.  (1^st-3rd) [I, III, IV].

History

Adler, D.  (1989).  A  picture book of George Washington.  New York:

Holiday Express.

This book introduces the viewer to George Washington. (K-2^nd grade) [II, III, VI].

Denega, D.  (2004).  Let’s read about Betsy Ross.  New York:  Scholastic

This colorful book tells how Betsy Ross made the first flag for George Washington many years ago.  (K-2^nd grade) [I, II, VI].

Himler, R.  (1987).  Nettie’s Trip South.  New York: Scholastic.

Nettie is excited about going on a trip South, until she sees the real truth about slavery. (3^rd-5^th grade) [II, VI, III].

Osbourne, M.  (2002).  Thanksgiving on Thursday.  New York:  Random

House.

Two children travel back in time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims.  (1^st-3^rd grade) [II, V, I].

Wilder, L.I. (1953).  Little house on the prairie.  New York: Harper & Row.

The little house book tells the story of the Ingalls family from the Big Woods to the prairie. (3^rd-5^th) [II,III,IV].

Sociology

Black, S.  (2002).  Let’s read about Squanto.  New York: Scholastic.

This book tells the story of Squanto from childhood through his meeting of the Pilgrims.  ( 1^st-3^rd) [I, II, V].

Hendershot, J.  (1987). In coal country.  New York: Alfred Knopf.

The life of a miner’s family is vividly seen through the eyes of his daughter.  (3^rd-4^th) [V,I,III].

Hoffman, M.  (1991).  Amazing Grace.  New York: Scholastic.

Grace wants to be Peter Pan in the school play, but everyone at her school says she cannot because she is black and a girl.  (1^st-3^rd) [IV, VI, V].

          Lovell, P.  (2001).  Stand tall Mary Lou Melon.  New York: Scholastic.

Molly goes to a new school and has to deal with some difficult classmates, and her grandmother gives her some cherished advice.  (1^st-3^rd) [I, V, II].

          Rylant, C.  (1999).  Relatives came.  New York: Live Oak Media.

This book discusses a visit from relatives that came from Virginia.  (1^st-3^rd grades) [I, V, III].

Political Science

          Bunting, E.  (1990).  The wall.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.

A father and his young son visit the Memorial Wall to locate his grandfather’s name.  (2^nd-4^th) [II, III, VI].

Cherry, L.  (1990).  The great Kopok Tree.  New York: Scholastic.

A man is cutting down trees in the rain forest, and the animals come together to attempt to get the man to stop. (2^nd-4^th grades) [I, III, VI].

Gross, R. B.  (1982).  …if you grew up with George Washington.  New

York: Scholastic.

This book explores the life of George Washington as he is growing up.  (1^st-3^rd) [I, II, V]

          Paterson, K.  (1977).  Bridge to Terabithia.  New York: Harper Trophy.

Terabithia is created by Jess and Leslie, but a tragic accident occurs and Jess has to deal with Leslie’s death. (3^rd grade and up) [IV, V, VI].

          Scillian, D.  (2001).  A is for America.  New York: Sleeping Bear Press.

This book uses the alphabet to identify people, places, and things that are significant to America.  (K-3^rd) [VI, II, V].