Historical fiction provides inspiring stories
Throughout recorded history, we've learned of many whose inspirational stories have influenced us in a positive way.
Taking an interest in history and influential historical figures is best established in childhood.
Through carefully chosen books, children can gain a great deal of knowledge and often be inspired by the words or actions of the people they read about. Further, such positive exposure will often result in a continued interest in learning.
Today's reviewed books focus on just that ¿¿ history and individuals who influenced events, other people, and sometimes history itself.
Remember to ask your local librarian to help you find other books that will connect with your child, educate, and inspire them. What a wonderful gift you have the ability to give, just by making the time to read.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq"</B> written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter, Harcourt, 32 pages; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Alia Muhammad Baker is the librarian of Basra, Iraq. The 30,000 books in her library are more precious to her than mountains of gold.People who love books and knowledge come to her library to learn and discuss matters of the world and of the spirit. But war is raging and Alia worries that the fires of war will destroy the books.Alia asks the governor for permission to move the books to a safe place, but he refuses, so Alia takes matters into her own hands.With the help of her neighbors and friends, the community pulls together to secretly save the cherished books from destruction.A true story, this remarkable book clearly conveys a sense of right and wrong, community, and the fact that despite exterior circumstances, people throughout the world respect knowledge and will risk their lives to protect their literature and the freedom their books provide.
<B>Library:</B> Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City<B>Library Director: </B>Judith Pfeifer<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Patricia Pflug<B>Choices this week:</B> "Dorling Kindersley: Eyewitness Books" by various authors; "Animal Homes: Discover the World Around You" by Anita Ganeri; "Travel Team" by Mike Lupica
The following books are available from favorite bookstores.<B>"The Smile"</B> by Donna Jo Napoli, Dutton, 2008, 260 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 11 to 12 and older; read yourself: age 12 and older.Elisabetta longs for true love and romance, but as the daughter of a noble in Renaissance Italy, she knows that she will soon be betrothed to one of the nobles of Florence; the choice of a husband will be her father's decision.Elisabetta's father is a successful and influential businessman, and one of his good friends is the great painter and inventor, Leonardo de Vinci. Leonardo is so taken with Elisabetta he declares he will paint her portrait someday.Leonardo is also the one to introduce Elisabetta to Giuliano de' Medici, the heir to the most powerful family in Florence.Giuliano and Elisabetta fall in love, and he declares he will marry his Mona Lisa. But turmoil is brewing fast and furious in Florence. Many of its citizens demand change, and foremost to that cry is to oust the Medici family and others.In her usual style, Donna Jo Napoli blends the richness of history with an extraordinary tale of life — joy and sorrow, loss and love.<B>"Abe's Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln" </B>by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Amy June Bates, Sterling, 2009, 40 pages, $15.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.The War of 1812 was raging, and 6-year-old Abe Lincoln was restless to grow up, loved to learn, and was confused about the concept of freedom. Abe's family had told him to always be good to the soldiers, but Abe had never met one face-to-face.Abe's mother had asked him to catch a fish for their dinner, and as he was walking home from his successful fishing trip, he saw a soldier on the road.The man looked tired and hungry, and Abe decided the soldier needed his fish more than Abe and his family.The grateful soldier accepted Abe's gift, and Abe asked him if he had found freedom yet. The soldier told him he had, on occasion, but that other times it seemed a long way off.Beautifully rendered in words and illustrations, "Abe's Fish" is a powerful story based in fact of the early seeds of the man who would dedicate his life to honesty and freedom.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
