The Day of Ahmed's Secret

Title: The Day of Ahmed's Secret
Author: Florence Parry Heide & Judith Heide Gilliland

Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Type: Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: K-5th
Publisher: Mulberry Books

Date of Publication: 1990
ISBN: 978-0688140236

Synopsis: As Ahmed goes through his day, he notice the sights and sounds of the bustling city (Cairo) around him.  He relates what he sees and hears to himself, and the secret he is carrying inside.  When he arrives home, after working all day, he reveals his secret to his family; he has learned to write his name.

Lesson Plan link

Possible Teaching Points: 1) Egyptian culture, 2) non-western culture 

America: A Patriotic Primer

Title: America: A Patriotic Primer
Author: Lynne Cheney

Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Type: Non-Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 3rd-8th
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date of Publication: 2002
ISBN: 978-0689851926

Synopsis: An alphabet book with American symbols, history, and trivia for each letter.  A wide range of topics are covered including, but not limited to, the Constitution, American heroes, Native Americans, rights, suffrage, and patriotism.

Lesson plan links

Possible Teaching Points: 1) civics, 2) American history, 3) American symbols 

I Am America

Title: I Am America
Author: Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Type:  Non-Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: K-6
Publisher: Cartwheel
Date of Publication: July 1, 2003
ISBN: 04309431794

Synopsis: A series of photographs depicting what American children look like, dress like, and act like accompanied by a prose-like text.

Lesson plan link

Possible Teaching Points: 1) diversity, 2) America

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Title: The Legend of the Poinsettia
Author: Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Type: Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 1-6
Publisher: Puffin
Date of Publication: October 6, 1997
ISBN: 978-0698115675

Synopsis: This book is the retelling of a Mexican legend about the poinsettia, or la flor de nochebuena.  Lucida and her family are preparing for Christmas eve festivities by weaving a blanket to lay in the manger with the baby Jesus.  When Lucida's mother becomes ill, Lucida is unable to complete the blanket by herself.  Instead of joining the procession on Christmas eve, Lucida hides.  She has a vision of an old woman that tells her to take whatever she can find for a gift, since a gift from the heart is the greatest gift of all.  Lucida gathers weeds and carries them into the church.  As she lays them in the manger, the weeds become poinsettias.  Since that day, poinsettias bloom regularly across Mexico during the Christmas season.

Possible Teaching Points: 1) Mexican culture, 2) tradition, 3) poinsettias, 4) holiday traditions