A Window into History Family Memory in Children's Literature

Subjects:

• Literature » Children's & Young Adult Literature
• History » Geneaology
• Education » Curriculum & Instruction

Reviews:

• As a guide to more than 200 titles connecting young people with memories in a variety of locations in the world and a range of time periods, this work is a useful addition to the collection.
  —Emergency Librarian
• MacDonald presents a two-pronged method of having children learn about history. She offers an annotated bibliography of children's literature built around themes and then suggests activities and special projects to complement them. ...The books, for the most part, are well chosen, and the activities themselves are appealing if not always terribly imaginative. They range from making corn dolls to interviewing older people about what life was like when they were children. A convenient volume to have on hand and one that teachers will find many uses for.
  —Booklist
• ...valuable for helping develop collections and build theme units on a variety of historical topics....titles are historically accurate....Annontations are lengthy, well-written, and informative, addressing both content and style....well-done volume.
  —School Library Journal
• Equipped with an excellent index, the book is aimed at teachers and librarians involved in local/family history work in primary or secondary schools.
  —School Library Association

Table of Contents:

• Preface xi
• Acknowledgments xv
• CHAPTER 1. Coming to the New World: The Immigrant Experience 1
• Recommended Reading 1
• Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 16
• Background Sources 16
• Project: Oral History---Learning About Your Immigrant Ancestors 17
• Cultural Heritage 21
• Critical Thinking and Writing: Comparing Experiences 24
• CHAPTER 2. Opening the New Land: The Frontier Experience 27
• Recommended Reading 28
• Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 42
• Pioneer Crafts 42
• Pioneer Games and Toys 46
• Frontier Cooking 47
• Making Things for the Home and Community 49
• CHAPTER 3. The Other Frontier Story: The Changing World of Native Americans 52
• Recommended Reading 52
• Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 59
• Learn About Your Neighbors 59
• Customs and Cultures 60
• CHAPTER 4. Growing Up in the Country 67
• Recommended Reading 68
• Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 100
• Project: Connections and Comparisons 100
• Objects From the Past 101
• Seasons and Celebrations 103
• The Changing Countryside 109
• CHAPTER 5. Growing Up in Cities and Suburbs 110
• Recommended Reading 110
• Special Projects and Enrichment 129
• Background Sources 129
• The Changing City 130
• Project: Looking at Buildings 131
• Signs and Other Stuff 132
• Project: How Much Did Things Cost? 133
• Toys 134
• Street Games 135
• Sports and Radio 136
• CHAPTER 6. Fear, Loss, and Courage: Families During World War II 138
• Recommended Reading 139
• Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 149
• Background Sources 149
• World War II Jackdaw 150
• Community Efforts: Sacrifices and Contributions 151
• Internment Camps 152
• CHAPTER 7. From Me to You: Passing On Traditions and Stories 154
• Recommended Reading with Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 155
• Tracing the Generations 155
• Remembering Family Houses 158
• Family Storytelling 162
• Photo Albums, Scrapbooks, and Other Family Records 165
• Family Vacations 167
• Visiting Grandparents and Other Assorted Relatives 169
• Family Heirlooms 173
• The Memory Box 179
• Tracking Time 181
• The Many Origins of Family Stories 183
• APPENDIX 1. Oral History and Genealogy Techniques 189
• Recommended Reading 189
• Some Successful Oral History Projects 193
• APPENDIX 2. Collecting Local History 195
• Recommended Reading 195
• APPENDIX 3. Recommended Titles by Ethnic Origin, Dates, and Location of Story 197
• INDEX 215