Beyond Borders
By Sandy Meagher

My mantra for life is to try my best to respect the dignity of every person I meet. Social Studies, the theme of this issue, is all about understanding and living with people from all over the world. The tool of choice for this librarian is books. Yes, we use the Internet everyday to support ideas, authenticate information and find sources. But the book is the great introduction – it's the hook that pulls in the student.

Exploring exploration
Primary grades always address explorers in October. I Wonder Why Columbus Crossed the Ocean and other Questions About Explorers by Rosie Greenwood (Kingfisher, 2005, ISBN: 0-753-45860-8) does a great job explaining the journey of Christopher Columbus and includes other explorers as well. This book would also be a good introduction for a library lesson for intermediate grades. Then perhaps move on to Internet Scavenger Hunts: American History by Michelle Robinette (Scholastic Professional Books, 2002, ISBN: 0-439-31665-0). The corresponding website at www.scholastic.com/profbooks/easyinternet/index.htm provides links to the websites needed to complete the book's activities. Students can either do the work independently or as a group with teacher or librarian demonstration and guidance.

Experiencing others' lives
When we study various aspects of the United States, we need to include both fiction and nonfiction that helps our students understand people, their families, their experiences, feelings and rights. Students are able to best tackle sensitive issues when teachers provide accurate information and unbiased guidance.

An excellent nonfiction series that can be used by students grades 3-8 is "American Moments" by the ABDO Publishing Company (www.abdopub.com). During November, perhaps use the title The Pilgrims (ISBN: 1-59-197937-4). The Montgomery Bus Boycott (ISBN: 1-591-97935-8) is appropriate for February. At the end of each book there are Fast Facts, websites, a glossary and an index.

Metropolitan Teaching and Learning Company (www.metrotlc.com) is a publisher with a commitment that all kinds of children be represented. Why They Marched: The Struggle for the Right to Vote by Donna Elam (2005, ISBN: 1-588-30179-6) is particularly well-written. The books come with comprehensive teacher guides that contain background material, mini- lessons and more. This series is appropriate for grades 3-8.

Studying word religions calls for comprehensive information and current photography. The series "World Faiths" by Trevor Barnes (Kingfisher, 2005) does an excellent job with this subject matter.

Students studying World War II will be moved by Remember WWII: The Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories by Dorinda Makanaonalani Nicholson (National Geographic, 2005, ISBN: 0-792-27179-3). These research narratives are great models for students to use when interviewing people and compiling collections of true stories from the past.

Envisioning the United States
Picture books are an effective tool with which to teach about America. For primary grades try Clementine in the City by Jessie Hartland (Viking, 2005, ISBN: 0-670-05929-3). Clementine the poodle, who lives in a tiny town, sees an advertisement to join a circus in a big city. Children will love comparing the small town to the city. And don't miss See the City: The Journey of Manhattan Unfurled by Matteo Pericoli (Knopf, 2004, ISBN: 0-375-82469-3). For middle grade students it is a beautiful and intricate view of New York City before and after September 11.

Middle grade students will also love using Searching for Oliver K. Woodman by Darcy Pattison (Harcourt, 2005, ISBN: 0-152-05184-8). Get that U.S. map out and track Oliver's travels. Since every page in the book includes a letter, try having your students write letters to relatives, friends and chambers of commerce all over the United States. Post responses on your map.

A great series with which to study the states is "Which Way USA?" published by Highlights for Children, Inc. Information on this terrific resource is available at www.whichwayusa.com

Picturing diverse perspectives
There are some great new books with which to introduce students to biographies. Americans Who Tell the Truth by Robert Shetterly (Dutton, 2005, ISBN: 0-525-47429-3) features 50 painted portraits with quotes from brave citizens from all walks of life. Learning about people by introducing words they have been remembered by is a wonderful way to introduce biographies to older readers.

A series of biographies that is so well produced is "TIME For Kids Biographies" (HarperTrophy). The books include timelines and great photographs. Go to www.timeforkids.com and search "biographies" for a wealth of extra information.

Graphic novels are so popular right now. I use caution when selecting these, screening for violent or offensive drawings. Two fine titles featuring accurate his Graphic novels are so popular right now. I use caution when selecting these, screening for violent or offensive drawings. Two fine titles featuring accurate historical representations are Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage adapted by Wayne Vansant (Puffin, 2005, ISBN: 0-142-40410-1) and The Battle of the Alamo by Matt Doeden (Capstone Press, 2005, ISBN: 0-736-8384-1).

Reading outside the lines
Thinking beyond the U.S. borders is essential to truly broaden one's life experiences. Laurent de Brunhoff's character Babar introduces an international array of cities in Babar's World Tour (Harry Abrams, 2005, ISBN: 0-810-95780-9).

Maya Angelou is writing a series of books called "Maya's World" (Random House). Each book explores a different country and includes a paper doll. Read-ers will find that children around the world are more alike than different.

I'd like to end with a book of poems, Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes by J. Patrick Lewis (Dial, 2005, ISBN: 0-803-72925-1). These poems are about famous people from history – Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez – and everyday heroes. The author writes that his first hero was his school janitor, a man who put other people first. The good he did on behalf of others is a nice message to impart to our students when teaching social studies.

Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.