kirstenhill Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I'm trying to zero in on one really good read aloud (for my 3rd grade DD) to add to our history reading list for this year. I've been browsing lots of lists but having trouble either finding what I'm looking for or knowing if the books I'm seeing are very good. So, I am looking for a historical fiction book with the setting/topic of either the Underground Railroad specifically or 19th century slavery (pre-Civil war) in general. My daughter has enjoyed listening to some more "challenging" read alouds this year (Witch of Blackbird Pond, Carry on Mr. Bowditch, Birchbark House, etc), so I am not afraid to aim on the higher side as far as difficulty level, but what I do want to avoid is something with lots of gruesome details. My daughter is fine with books mentioning death, injury etc but what does bother her is detailed descriptions of bloody stuff. :laugh: Any suggestions? A couple I found that I thought looked somewhat interesting were Brady by Jean Fritz or Stealing Freedom by Elisa Carbone...but I just found those randomly (not from any recommended list) so I am not 100% sure how high quality or age appropriate they are. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyrjoy Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I used a picture book- The Patchwork Path for part of my lesson the other week on the Underground Railroad. I had found some lesson plans which asked for a journal entry and sample quilt patch that your family would make, with symbols, etc. Anyways, so we used that book and I also had Under the Quilt of Night to look at. The American Girl Addy series would be a good one to look at too. However, I know my answers aren't referring to an actual historical fiction book, which we didn't find either. After we are finished with the Civil War, we'll do Reconstruction, and I'm thinking of using Janie's Freedom as a read aloud. I debated even reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, which I do want to do, but I may wait for the next round of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Who Owns the Sun? John Brown One Man Against Slavery Go Free or Die A Girl Called Boy Pink and Say Aida Follow the Drinking Gourd Not sure if any of those will help or are what you specifically want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 The Last Safe House (also has activities) http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Safe-House-Underground/dp/0439062381/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1361641555&sr=8-1 Trouble Don't Last http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Dont-Last-Shelley-Pearsall/dp/0440418119/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t Elijah of Buxton http://www.amazon.com/Elijah-Buxton-Christopher-Paul-Curtis/dp/0439023459/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1361641572&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstenhill Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions so far...I have quite a few picture books on the way on this topic, but I like the depth that a longer read-aloud adds too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyrjoy Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I was looking for something on the Pony Express and the Gold Rush and came across this book: Twelve Travelers, Twenty Horses. It deals with slavery, and a slew of other topics. Also, I found: Steal Away Home North by Night A Girl Called Boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 We have Freedom Train and a choose you own adventure Underground Railroad. Let me look thru my books..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khselee Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Freedom Train, we have a book about Solomon Northup, this one: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stolen-into-slavery-judith-bloom-fradin/1101893395?ean=9781426309373, and a couple of other books. Those are, by far, Ds' favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 The whole American Girl Addy series. I am a big fan of all the American Girl historical fiction, but I think Addy is arguably the best series of the whole collection. My daughter also liked a book we found in the library that was a Civil War/Underground Railroad story told from the perspective of a doll (Hattie's travels I think?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lots of boys Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I just wanted to second The Last Safe House by Greenwood. I just read it to my two boys (6 ans 9) and they loved it. It has activities too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 William Henry Is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke (It's technically a young adult book and there is some violence and suspense that may disturb sensitive kids.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstenhill Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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