American History Stories by Pratt or The American Story:100 True Tales from American

[Quiver0f10]

American History Stories by Pratt http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375812563/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

 

The American Story:100 True Tales from American History http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1599152029/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

 

Or even American Tales Reader from Hewitt!? http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1246821515-594367&subject=14&category=7028

 

Which of these would be a better spine/read aloud for kids in grades 6 on down?

 

I was thinking this might go nice with these too, Children's Encyclopedia of American History http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789483300/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

 

Thanks!

Edited August 5, 2009 by Quiver0f10

[Caroline4kids]

I know that we are really liking the Mara Pratt books. I have all four and they have nice, short chapters and seem to hold the interest of my children. We have been doing some copy work and dictation from them also.

 

Jim Hodges also has all four books on one mp3 cd if you would want to add it to bedtime or in the car.

[Caroline4kids]

My 8 year old loves this one (which you can get free from mainlesson.com):

 

http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Great-Americans-Little/dp/0965273520/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

My kids have liked all the Edward Eggleston books.

[Quiver0f10]

I know that we are really liking the Mara Pratt books. I have all four and they have nice, short chapters and seem to hold the interest of my children. We have been doing some copy work and dictation from them also.

 

Jim Hodges also has all four books on one mp3 cd if you would want to add it to bedtime or in the car.

 

How many chapters/days a week do you read from these?

[Sasha]

The only one I'm familiar with is The America Story. The stories are short and give a broad, very basic idea of US history. It's something that I read aloud to my older boys (ages 8 and 5) but I wouldn't consider it an actual American history spine (I would consider it more along the lines of, say, D'Aulaire's books--fun to read and not unfactual but also not complete).

 

My daugher has been reading the children's version of The People's History of the United States. It's in a several-volume set.

[mom2abcd]

I have all three and The American Story gets my vote! It's fun! The stories are so interesting and the pages are so colorful! It's a nice introduction to American history.

 

Mara Pratt's books have only a few b&w pictures and are just dry, IMHO. It's old-time writing and more suitable for 6th and above.

 

The Hewitt book is fine for littles. The reading level is low so your kiddos could read the stories themselves. They're fine little stories, but more moral lessons than history really and nothing like The American Story.

 

The CEoAH is very nice; more a reference book than a read-aloud. I'd get it and The American Story.

 

BTW, I have Levels 1&2 of Mara Pratt's books for sale. If I can find the other, it's for sale, too:o)

[littlebug42]

The only one I am familiar with is The American Story. I chose not to use it because I felt it had a particularly negative slant towards Christianity, particularly Catholics (which we are) so I did not use it. I think it merits a pre-read before purchasing if this might be of concern to you.

[Quiver0f10]

Thank you all !