Parrothead Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 What are your must haves for 5th grade history - ancients. I"ve got a list of about 40 in my Amazon shopping cart, but I have to cut them way down. So tell me the ones you like/liked the best. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pongo Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Jason and the Golden Fleece Beauty In The Fields Galen and Goliath Mystery of the Roman Ransom Detectives in Togas Why Snails Have Shells: Minority and Han Folktales from China Fa Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah Hittite Warrior (Living History Library) The Golden Goblet Victory on the Walls: A Story of Nehemiah Tirzah The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt Luther: Biography of a Reformer Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church Twice Freed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Can you tell us what's in your shopping cart, and let us choose from those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrienne Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I'd love to see the responses here -- I'm in the planning stage for 5th grade history/ancients as well and would love suggestions. Adrienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inashoe Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 DK History instead of Kingfisher - but this is for a very strong reader. Gilgamesh the Hero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Can you tell us what's in your shopping cart, and let us choose from those? Here is the cartful: Mesopotamia (DK Eyewitness Books) – Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht - Richard Platt; Build Your Own Stonehenge (Running Press Mini Kits) - Morgan Beard; An Acceptable Time - Madeleine L'Engle; Many Waters - Madeleine L'Engle; A Wind in the Door - Madeleine L'Engle; A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle; The Life & Times of Hammurabi (Biography from Ancient Civilizations) - Tamera Bryant; Gilgamesh the Hero - Geraldine McCaughrean; Black Ships Before Troy - Rosemary Sutcliff; Who Was King Tut? (Who Was...?) - Roberta Edwards; It's All Greek to Me (Time Warp Trio) r/i - Jon Scieszka; The Time Warp Trio: Tut, Tut - Jon Scieszka; The Phoenicians (Cultures of the Past) - Elsa Marston; Take Me Back - DK Publishing; Little Krishna - Harish Johari; Roman Mythology: Romulus and Remus (Jr. Graphic Mythologies) - Tom Daning; Ancient Mysteries - Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Ancient Mysteries; DVD Hands-On Ancient People, Volume 2: Art Activities About Minoans, Mycenaeans, Trojans, Ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans - Yvonne Y. Merrill; The Librarian Who Measured the Earth - Kathryn Lasky; Day Of The Dragon-King (Magic Tree House 14, paper) - Mary Pope Osborne; Ancient China (TALES OF THE DEAD) - Stewart Ross; Hannibal: RomeÆs Worst Nightmare (A Wicked History) - Philip Brooks Cleopatra - Diane Stanley; Famous Men of Greece (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; Famous Men of Rome (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; The Ancient Celts (People of the Ancient World) - Patricia Calvert; Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story - Bryce Milligan; Mystery of the Maya (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 5) - R. A. Montgomery; Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places - Joseph Bruchac Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha - Jonathan Landaw; The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China - Jane O'Connor The Eye of the Needle: Based on a Yupik Tale - Teri Sloat; How Ancient Americans Lived: The Native Tribes and the Peoples of the Frozen North - Michael Stotter; The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) - Eloise Jarvis McGraw; Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books) – Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics) - Roger Lancelyn Green; Tales from Japan (Oxford Myths and Legends) - Helen and William McAlpine Tales from India (Oxford Myths and Legends) - J. E. B. Gray The Wanderings of Odysseus - Rosemary Sutcliff; Mass Market Paperback The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia - Charles Taylor; Hardcover The Holy Land (The Ancient World) - Peter Connolly; Paperback Solomon: A Man of Wisdom (An Awesome Adventure Bible Stories Series) - Master Books; Paperback Moses in Egypt - Lynne Reid Banks; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Do you have a decent library? If so, I'd see if the library had the following: Gilgamesh the Hero - Geraldine McCaughrean; Black Ships Before Troy - Rosemary Sutcliff; It's All Greek to Me (Time Warp Trio) r/i - Jon Scieszka; The Time Warp Trio: Tut, Tut - Jon Scieszka; The Librarian Who Measured the Earth - Kathryn Lasky; Day Of The Dragon-King (Magic Tree House 14, paper) - Mary Pope Osborne; The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) - Eloise Jarvis McGraw; Cleopatra - Diane Stanley; If the library has these, I'd remove them from the 'buy' list for now & just borrow them when you plan to read them. If they turn out to be huge favorites, you could always buy them later. I'm listing these because these are generally popular enough that many (?) libraries carry these & perhaps it would be easy enough for you to borrow a copy. I'd definitely plan to order: Mesopotamia (DK Eyewitness Books) – Hands-On Ancient People, Volume 2: Art Activities About Minoans, Mycenaeans, Trojans, Ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans - Yvonne Y. Merrill; (I love this book -- I think it's a great resource for upper elementary/early middle school level kids) Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics) - Roger Lancelyn Green; Tales from Japan (Oxford Myths and Legends) - Helen and William McAlpine Tales from India (Oxford Myths and Legends) - J. E. B. Gray and any of the other books that cover topics that are not usually available at the library Perhaps buy these: Famous Men of Greece (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; Famous Men of Rome (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; But, of course, it's all a matter of preference on what types of books you & your dc like & make the most impact on you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Do you have a decent library? No, you see that is my biggest problem. I haven't a decent library within 100 miles. I've tried inter-library loan but it is very unpredictable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCoppock Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 You can download these two from librivox for free. Famous Men of Greece - John H. Haaren; Famous Men of Rome - John H. Haaren; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCoppock Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 From your list we read and enjoyed these books. As mentioned previously we actually downloaded the Famous Men books. Of all the books the Sutcliff books were my personal favorites. DS actually checked out Black Ships Before Troy again this year. If I had to delete books on your list I would pick the Time Warp Trio and Magic Tree House books. Although they are fun reads I think some of your other books are stronger in content. Also, I know you are trying to shrink your list, but I would recommend adding, The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare. It was one of those books that we didn't want to put down. A Wind in the Door - Madeleine L'Engle; Gilgamesh the Hero - Geraldine McCaughrean; Black Ships Before Troy - Rosemary Sutcliff; Ancient Mysteries - Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Ancient Mysteries; DVD The Librarian Who Measured the Earth - Kathryn Lasky; Cleopatra - Diane Stanley; Famous Men of Greece (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; Famous Men of Rome (Yesterday's Classics) - John H. Haaren; Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha - Jonathan Landaw; The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) - Eloise Jarvis McGraw; Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books) – The Wanderings of Odysseus - Rosemary Sutcliff; Mass Market Paperback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks everyone. I'm starting to get a consensus. Dh was playing around on Netflix a while ago. I asked him to look up some topic that we can watch either on the computer or get the DVD. So I have another option when I can't get a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the list! Did you get it from somewhere, or is it compiled from various sources? We're doing Ancient History in 6th (next year) So, I'll look at your list. I'm also thinking I can check some of them out at the library. Carrie:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the list! Did you get it from somewhere, or is it compiled from various sources? We're doing Ancient History in 6th (next year) So, I'll look at your list. I'm also thinking I can check some of them out at the library.Carrie:-) I sat down with the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and pulled out names, places, events from the ancient section. Then once I had the list complied I sat down at Amazon.com and searched for books. Then I had an obscene grand total. I'm going to have to at least cut it in half. Today I went around to Beautiful Feet, Greenleaf an Varitas Press and compared prices for their compilation of books. It averages out to about $200.00 which ever way I go. Unless I get used books from Amazon. If I go used I'll be able to drop it even further. But there are only a couple of sellers for used that I'll trust. Then there is used books plus shipping costs. If I have to go to a lot of different vendors the individual shipping costs would be as much as new from Amazon with free shipping. I'l have to play around with it and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in CA Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 You got some great input already. So I'll just tell you what I would not purchase based on the fact that this is for 5th grade. Magic Tree House Book the two Time Warp Trio Books I would not purchase them for 5th grade because of the low reading level in those. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Here's the list of big hits, the ones my son especially enjoyed and from which he seemed to retain a lot: Tales from India, J.E.B. Gray Ch’i Lin Purse, Linda Fang Children’s Homer, Padraic Colum Dar and the Spear Thrower, Marjorie Cowley Golden Goblet, Eloise Jarvis McGraw Tales from China, Cyril Birch Tusk and Stone, Malcolm Bosse To these he gave a qualified thumb up. He liked them okay and learned stuff, but doesn't feel the need to add them to his permanent collection: Aesop’s Fables, Aesop (Grosset & Dunlap) Boy of the Painted Cave, Justin Denzel Gilgamesh the Hero, Geraldine McCaughrean Twenty Jataka Tales, Noor Inayat Khan Walking the Bible, Bruce S. Feiler These were fine, for school, but he would have been content to skip them: Cat of Bubastes, G.A. Henty (informative, but not fun to read) D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire Place in the Sun, Jill Rubalcaba That's all we've gotten to so far. Of the ones still on his list for the rest of the year, the ones I expect will be the biggest hits are: Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans How to Be a Roman Soldier How to Be an Ancient Greek Athlete Mystery of the Roman Ransom Detectives in Togas Eagle of the Ninth We read the Tales from Egypt one on your list on our last round with the ancients, and it was good, too. If your student is a good reader, I'd suspect the Time Warp Trio ones will be pretty useless. There's not what you would call a lot of actual information in them, and they are very short, light, easy reads. I probably wouldn't buy them at full price for a 5th grader. And the Diane Stanley bios are pretty expensive for what they are. My son has read a few of them, but only when I found them at the library or on a close-out table. I mean, that Cleopatra one is only 48 pages. That's not worth $8 for me. Hope that helps you narrow it down a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Okay, here are ones I know (or don't): For Mesopotamia, we liked a book called To Ride the God's Own Stallion I like all DK Eyewitness books! Gilgamesh the Hero - Geraldine McCaughrean - good - the Zemen trio is also very good Black Ships Before Troy - Rosemary Sutcliff - excellent The Librarian Who Measured the Earth - Kathryn Lasky - good Cleopatra - Diane Stanley - good Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha - Jonathan Landaw - I don't think I know this one, but books by Demi and, I believe, Russell Freedman, are also excellent concerning the Buddha The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) - Eloise Jarvis McGraw - good Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books) – as I recall, my older son did not like this and it seemed more a love story fit for a teenage girl.... Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics) - Roger Lancelyn Green - don't know this one specifically, but anything by Lancelyn Green is excellent! The Wanderings of Odysseus - Rosemary Sutcliff; Mass Market Paperback - good; don't know about this version, though, as her illustrated versions are wonderful.... The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia - Charles Taylor; Hardcover - I never found this very useful; not enough specific info in it.... The Holy Land (The Ancient World) - Peter Connolly; Paperback - good Those are the only titles I recognize, off-hand, without looking through my own books. Good luck in your search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Thank you, ladies. You've all helped tremendously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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