This book is made up of excerpts from Susie King Taylor's actual diary. She was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1848, as a slave. When Susie was 6, she was able to go to a school taught by a freed slave. In April 1862, when the Yankees captured the island she was living on, the slaves were put under the protection of the Union fleet. The Captain, amazed that Susie could read and write, put her in charge of teaching school to the 40 children there. When the first black regiment to fight in the Civil War was created, Susie served as their nurse. She wrote about trying to keep herself, and her patients, warm, and fed. She mourned the many that died from malaria, smallpox, typhoid, pneumonia, and dysentery. After the war, she moved to the North. Years later, she returned to the South. From the injustices she experienced after the war, she realized that equality still had a long way to go. Her book was published in 1902, and she died in 1912.

Similar books: Dear America fiction series

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 076141648X

ISBN-13: 9780761416487

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This colorful Rookie Read-About Holidays explains the holiday of Diwali in an appropriate way for first and second graders to understand, and enjoy. The word 'Diwali' means row of lights, and marks the beginning of the Hindu year. It takes place in October or November. People celebrate by setting out rows of lights, called diyas. They clean their homes, have big family dinners, and exchange gifts. They buy new clothes to wear to temple, and watch fireworks in the evening. What a great holiday - our 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas rolled into one!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0531124541

ISBN-13: 9780531124543

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Does a seal smile? How about a wolf, or a mandrill? Explore the body language of different animals. Discover also the unique ability of humans to greet each other in a variety of ways. This book is part of the Early Experiences series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 1593541686

ISBN-13: 9781593541682

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Are you a cat lover, or a dog lover? Or both? Either way, talented author and illustrator, Steve Jenkins, can please you. This informative 'flip book' lets you look at, learn about, and admire both species. His unusual illustrations of cut and torn paper collage are as delightful, and unique, as they are in his many other titles. With both subjects, he traces their history, their partnership with humans, and other interesting facts, biggest, smallest, fastest, and oldest. Did you know cats are the only animal that can purr, and purring actually helps sick or injured cats heal? Or that in a three-mile race, the Saluki is the fastest mammal on earth? Each section ends with reasons why cats or dogs are considered smarter. I've been owned by six of each, and still can't decide!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0618507671

ISBN-13: 9780618507672

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Mummies have a long, long history. You may think mummies are scary creatures in a movie, but they can teach you many things. Many of your questions about mummies will be answered in this book. For example, are Egyptians the only ones who made mummies? There is also a list of places you can visit to view mummies at the back of the book.

Reviewed by: cjones

Date read: 10/18/2010

ISBN-10: 0060287810

ISBN-13: 9780060287818

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