Magic Tree House # Abe Lincoln at Last!

By Mary Pope Osborn

Grade Level Equivalent:3
Interest Level: K-3
Jack and Annie go on another adventure back in time! While chasing a white feather for their
friend Merlin, Jack and Annie go back in time to 1861 through the magic tree house. In 1861
Abraham Lincoln was president. They meet the presidents sons, Tad and Willie who say they
can help Jack and Annie meet the Mr. Lincoln. They cant wait to meet him but Mr. Lincoln is
too busy. They nation is in trouble. Jack and Annie then travel back to the woods near Able
Lincolns house where they meet a boy named Sam. They hope Sam can help find Mr. Lincoln.
Sam gets kicked in the head by a horse and Jack and Annie take care of him and his chores while
he recovers. When he is better he gives them a feather and inkwell he made because he knows
they love to write. The kids go back to 1861 where they meet President Lincoln and he tells them
that he remembers them from when he was a boy. He had tricked them into thinking his name
was Sam. The kids tell him that the country will be alright and Lincoln win the war. Then they go
back to the treehouse and their own time. Kids will love going on this wild adventure through
history with Jack and Annie.

Freedom Summer by Debora Wiles

Grade Level Equivalent:3.2
Interest Level:P-2
This is the story of two friends who spend a summer together. John Henrys mom works for ___
Mom.
In the summer Annie May , John Henrys mom brings him with her to work. John Henry and
____ are good friends. Sometimes they help Annie May with the chores. They love to swim and
eat popsicles together. John Henry is black and Joe is white. Annie ma tells them that there is a
law that will make blacks and whites share everything. When they hear this the boys decide to go
swimming in the town pool together. When they get to the pool construction workers are filling
up the pool with tar. John Henry is sad. He wants to do everything that Joe does. Joehas an idea.
The boys go to the dairy dip together and have ice pops. This is a good story to introduce the idea
of equality to children. It can spark discussions about the civil rights movement.

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

Grade Level Equivalent:4.5
Interest Level:2-3
On the morning of September 11th Lucas wasnt supposed to be in Manhattan. He had just
received terrible news that he would not be able to play football after his third concussion. His
parents were concerned for his safety ,but he thinks that maybe his dads friend Uncle Benny can
convince them to change their minds. He went to visit his Uncle Benny at the firehouse. Uncle
Benny and Lucass Dad were firefighters. During his visit the fire alarm goes off and they
receive news that the twin towers have fallen. For the rest of the day Lucas searches for his dad
who was called to help at the scene. This is a unique look into the events of September 11.
Readers will feel like they are a part of the scene and will have a better understanding of what
transpired that day.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Grade Level Equivalent:4.5
Interest Level:5-9
Number the stars is a beautiful story about a girl named Annemarie who lived during the Nazi
occupation of Denmark. Annemaries friend Ellen was Jewish. Her family was forced to flee
from the Nazis and Ellen stayed with Annemarie and her family. When Nazi soldiers come to
Annemaries house looking for Jews the Roseburgs take Ellen to Annmaries uncles house.
There they plan to meet up with Ellens family and help them escape to Switzerland on a boat. To
do this a very important piece of the plan must happen. Annmarie must bring a scented cloth to
her uncles boat so that the Nazis dogs will not smell the refugees. Annmarie is scared but she
summons up her courage and is able to help her friends escape. This is a moving tale about the
importance of friendship and bravery. It is a great look into the lives of people living during
WWII.

Sara, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Grade Level Equivalent:3.4
Interest Level:4-7
Sarah Plain and Tall is the story of a woman who brings love back to a broken family. Caleb and
Anna are siblings whose mother has died. Their father is so stricken with grief that it seems as
though he has died too. He knows he needs a mother for his children so he gets a mail order
bride named Sara. She is very different from all the people they know. The children arent sure
about her at first but they soon come to trust and love her. She comes from Maine where
everyone lives by the sea. She shows them love and teaches them how to be a family again. In
the end Papa and Sara marry and the family lives happily ever after. This is a sweet simple story
that shows the importance of love and family.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

Grade Level Equivalent:4.2
Interest Level:K-3
Its Ruthies families turn to give a Christmas tree to the church. Her Daddy said they are going to
give a balsam tree. Ruthie gets to help her Daddy mark the perfect tree with her red ribbon. The
next year Ruthys Papa goes away to war. All she wants for Christmas is her Papa to be home
safe. The war finally ends and Ruthie waits for her Papas return but when she and her mamma go
the train station he is not there. Ruthie gets the part of the angel in the Christmas play but her
Mamma has no money to buy material for a new dress. Because her Papa isnt home yet Ruthie
and her Mamma have to cut down the perfect tree themselves. Ruthies mamma makes her a
dress from some old material she has. Ruthie goes to the Christmas play and St. Nick comes to
give everyone presents. He gives Ruthie a beautiful angel doll. Just as she and her Mamma are
about to leave St. Nick brings her another gift, her Papa! This is a heartwarming story about love
and the magic of Christmas.

The Wall by Eve Bunting

Grade Level Equivalent:2.4
Interest Level:1-4

This is the story of a little boy who goes to the Vietnam memorial with his Dad to look for his
grandfathers name. While he is there he observes the other people at the memorial. There is a
man in a wheelchair with a soldiers uniform and an older lady crying on the shoulder of a man.
At last they find his grandfathers name. They use a piece of paper and pencil to rub the name
onto the paper. Some school girls come by and make a lot of noise asking a lot of questions. The
boy and his father remain silent. They put a picture of the boy in front of the memorial.
This is a moving book that will introduce children to the ideas of war and loss. It may also serve
as a comfort to children who have lost parents or other loved ones.