Book Review: LINCOLN'S GRAVE ROBBERS

A simple plan: break into Abraham Lincoln’s tomb, steal his corpse, hide the body, demand $200,000 and the release of convicted counterfeiter Benjamin Boyd as a ransom. Steve Sheinkin’s Lincoln’s Grave Robbers proves that fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. This true crime thriller details how the Secret Service was able to capture and convict master counterfeiter Boyd in 1875. With Boyd in jail, the supply of high-quality counterfeit money dried up, causing a real headache for criminals on the streets of Chicago. Several “coney men” were desperate to get Boyd out of jail and back to work. They concocted a wild plan to secure the release of the engraver from prison by snatching President Lincoln’s body. Fortunately, the Secret Service had an uncover snitch who helped them foil the plan.  

Sheinkin’s fascinating page-turner is perfect for middle school readers and pairs well with James Swanson’s Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. These two well-written books are excellent examples of how exciting narrative non-fiction can be. I hope Scholastic and other publishers will continue to publish these types of works as teachers try to encourage more non-fiction reading in the classroom. My only problem with Lincoln’s Grave Robbers is the cover, which is too dark and not eye-catching. Readers can easily overlook this great book on library or bookstore selves, which would be a real shame.  

4.5 out of 5 stars
Grades 5 and up 

New Review: COURAGE HAS NO COLOR

Siebert Medal winner Tanya Lee Stone's new book tells the story of the Triple Nickles, America's first all black paratrooper company. Stone describes how the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion came into being during World War II. Despite strong institutional racism, the Advisory Committee on Negro Troop Policies recommended the formation of an all-black airborne unit in December of 1942. First Sergeant Walter Morris had been training black soldiers to be paratroopers for a while, but the Triple Nickles was not officially activated until December 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Through they were a well-trained company, they were not allowed to serve overseas during the war. Instead, they were sent to Pendleton, Oregon where they fought against a secret attack by Japanese. Stone's book highlights the honor and bravery of the Triple Nickles. These men wanted to fight to protect America but instead had to silently suffer horrible treatment from their own government. They hoped that their efforts would bring about a more egalitarian Armed Forces. Stone also explains a fascinating, little-known attempt by the Japanese to instill terror in American society. 

Courage Has No Color is a well-written book that adds another chapter to the history of World War II. Stone's narrative deftly balances the history of the Triple Nickles with first-person accounts from the soldiers. The books’s beautiful layout, coupled with great photography, adds to the story. This novel is an excellent companion to Shelley Pearsall's Jump into the Sky. Though I believe Stone did a superb job telling this story, I do wonder about reader interest. I am afraid that the story might not be interesting enough to entice middle grade readers. Those who do pick up Courage Has No Color will be rewarded.

3.5 Stars out of 5
Grades 5 and up

7th Grade History Research

I'm getting ready for the 7th grade history research project by pulling over 200 books on non-European, non-American history subjects and then organizing them.  Students start selecting topics tomorrow.  Hopefully looking at the resources first will help more than just picking a topic from a list.

Using VoiceThread to Learn About the 1920s

To learn more about the major events of the 1920s, eighth graders came to the library to research a self-selected topic that they would then turn into a VoiceThread.  Students could pick topics from a list we created, or they could find a subject on their own.  I pulled books and articles from our Gale database to help with their research; we also provided students with a list of websites on the 1920s.  While in the library, students filled out a note-taking template that would serve as the framework for their VoiceThread narrative.  Many students used their iPad to research their topics. As they took notes and collected images for the project, students were required to cite all sources using MLA formatting.

After two days of compiling information, student went to the computer lab to create the VoiceThread. The initial setup of a VoiceThread is always a little difficult for students.  Knowing where to click to add to slides is confusing, but once they get in the flow, it is easy to record the slide show.  Our technology coordinator carefully walked them through the steps on their first day in the lab; students could also watch a video that would show them how to create a VoiceThread.  Many students chose to use their time with the desktop computers to annotate their slides using Skitch, import the slides into VoiceThread, and finalize their bibliography.  Several then used their iPads to record the voice portion at home or during study hall.  Students could create the entire VoiceThread using the VoiceThread app on their iPad, but many commented that it is easier to use the desktop version or a combination of both.