Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl By: Anne Frank
Genre: Biography/ Autobiography
Grade: 6-8
ISBN: 9780553296983
Bibliography: Frank, A. (1993). Anne frank, the diary of a young girl. (Expanded ed. ed.). New York: Bantam.
Synopsis: 15 year old Anne is a Jewish girl growing up during one of the most tragic time in history. This text follows Anne through her experiences beginning prior to the war up until she is captured. This text is held in high esteem in a number of literary circles and is used to tell the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.
Activity: Create your own diary. Students will construct a series of diary entries over a period of two weeks. After the two week period students will pick one entry to share with the class and students will be allowed to reflect on the experiences of their life.
Awards: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
Grade: 6-8
ISBN: 9780553296983
Bibliography: Frank, A. (1993). Anne frank, the diary of a young girl. (Expanded ed. ed.). New York: Bantam.
Synopsis: 15 year old Anne is a Jewish girl growing up during one of the most tragic time in history. This text follows Anne through her experiences beginning prior to the war up until she is captured. This text is held in high esteem in a number of literary circles and is used to tell the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.
Activity: Create your own diary. Students will construct a series of diary entries over a period of two weeks. After the two week period students will pick one entry to share with the class and students will be allowed to reflect on the experiences of their life.
Awards: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
Who is Benjamin Franklin? By: Brindall Fradin
Genre: Biography/ Autobiography
Grade: 1-5
ISBN: 0448424959
Bibliography: Fradin, D. B., (2003). Who was ben franklin?. USA:
Synopsis: The incredible story of Benjamin franklin is told in a format young children can understand. The illustrations in this text in a creative and eye catching. The mix of historical facts and caricatured images creates a delightful and easy read. This text is puts a new spin on the traditional and boring view of the biography.
Activity: students will construct a KWL chart where they discuss what they know and what they would like to learn prior the reading the text. After the students have read they fill in the section on what knowledge they have gained after their reading.
*Activity adapted from Yopps
Grade: 1-5
ISBN: 0448424959
Bibliography: Fradin, D. B., (2003). Who was ben franklin?. USA:
Synopsis: The incredible story of Benjamin franklin is told in a format young children can understand. The illustrations in this text in a creative and eye catching. The mix of historical facts and caricatured images creates a delightful and easy read. This text is puts a new spin on the traditional and boring view of the biography.
Activity: students will construct a KWL chart where they discuss what they know and what they would like to learn prior the reading the text. After the students have read they fill in the section on what knowledge they have gained after their reading.
*Activity adapted from Yopps
Go Free or Die: A Story about Harriet Tubman By: Jeri Ferris
Genre: Biography/ Autobiography & Multicultural
Grade: 3-5
ISBN: 0876145047
Bibliography: Ferris, J. (1988). Go free or die: The story of harriet tubman. Carolrhoda Books.
Synopsis: A story about Harriet Tubman takes the reader on a journey through the underground rail road with Harriett Tubman as their guide. This biographical account of her life and actions is illustrated by hand giving the text a unique and approachable feel. This text is constructed in a way that upper elementary students can be exposed to non-fiction biographical works and an interesting and engaging way.
Activity: Show me Who You Are! This can be used as a part of a larger unit that has students pick a biography from a particular period in time, such as slavery, and present their information through a wax museum assignment.
*Activity modified from the rubric http://www.docstoc.com/docs/141812735/Living-Wax-Museum-Project-Explorers-Rubric
Grade: 3-5
ISBN: 0876145047
Bibliography: Ferris, J. (1988). Go free or die: The story of harriet tubman. Carolrhoda Books.
Synopsis: A story about Harriet Tubman takes the reader on a journey through the underground rail road with Harriett Tubman as their guide. This biographical account of her life and actions is illustrated by hand giving the text a unique and approachable feel. This text is constructed in a way that upper elementary students can be exposed to non-fiction biographical works and an interesting and engaging way.
Activity: Show me Who You Are! This can be used as a part of a larger unit that has students pick a biography from a particular period in time, such as slavery, and present their information through a wax museum assignment.
*Activity modified from the rubric http://www.docstoc.com/docs/141812735/Living-Wax-Museum-Project-Explorers-Rubric
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers By: Mordicai Gerstein
Genre: Biography/ Autobiography
Grade: k-6
ISBN: 031236878
Bibliography: Gerstein, M. (2008). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press.
Synopsis: Moridicai Gerstein tells the magical story of Philippe Petit, a French acrobat whose specialty is dancing across tight ropes. This brief biography tells the story of Philippe’s encounter with New York’s Twin Towers and his experience walking the length of the gap between them. Gerstein pays tribute to the Twin Towers by reminding us all how they were once a sight of joy and beauty. Activity: Diagram that Plot! This activity requires students to diagram the plot of the story including the setting and the characters involved during the events placed on the diagram.
*Adapted from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/plot-diagram-30040.html
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal, winner of the 2004 Boston Globe, Horn Book Award for Picture Books, and the winner of the 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.
Grade: k-6
ISBN: 031236878
Bibliography: Gerstein, M. (2008). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press.
Synopsis: Moridicai Gerstein tells the magical story of Philippe Petit, a French acrobat whose specialty is dancing across tight ropes. This brief biography tells the story of Philippe’s encounter with New York’s Twin Towers and his experience walking the length of the gap between them. Gerstein pays tribute to the Twin Towers by reminding us all how they were once a sight of joy and beauty. Activity: Diagram that Plot! This activity requires students to diagram the plot of the story including the setting and the characters involved during the events placed on the diagram.
*Adapted from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/plot-diagram-30040.html
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal, winner of the 2004 Boston Globe, Horn Book Award for Picture Books, and the winner of the 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.