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Recommended
Books and Links > Books and Links for Children of All Ages
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"Underground
Train," by Mary Quattlebaum (Yearling Books 1999).
"My daughter, Isabel, and I live in DC at the metro stop that
Quattlebaum describes in 'Underground Train,' and we love this
book. The language is poetic, the story easy to identify with, and
the illustrations nicely fit the action. I heartily recommend
'Underground Train' to families with train-riding kids
everywhere." --Amazon.com reader |
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"D
is for Democracy," by Elissa
Grodin, Victor Jahasz, hardcover (Gale 2004). "Elissa Grodin takes readers of all ages on an A-Z trip through our government's structure, from its earliest beginnings to definitions of basic components and concepts (including immigration and taxation). Engaging, disarming, and frequently thought-provoking artwork from illustrator Victor Juhasz emphasizes the magnitude of the subject. From founding fathers, first ladies, and the First Amendment to the presidential oath of office, D is for Democracy details the political processes, parties, and people of democracy, American-style."
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"A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Revised and Updated Edition," by Miriam Chernick (Author), Richard Brown (Illustrator) (Harcourt Paperbacks 2008). "For children on school trips or traveling with their families, here is kid-friendly information about popular monuments, museums, exhibits, shopping, sporting events--and even day trips outside the immediate metropolitan area.
Originally published in 1989, this handy guide now features completely updated text and photographs, along with the puzzles, games, and wonderful tidbits of trivia that have made it one of the most useful D.C. guidebooks for children.
A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C. is the perfect traveling companion for any youngster who wants to play an active role in planning a family vacation." |
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"A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.," by Diane C. Clarke (Author), Richard Brown (Illustrator) (Gulliver Books 1989). "We bought this book for my 6 year old before a trip to D.C. He had just started reading over the previous year, and he read it during the entire drive and during our stay. He was able to look up all of the sites we planned to visit, and was so proud to share facts he learned with us. It was perfectly targeted to a young child, and he has picked it up to read many times since. He did not actually complete many of the activities (he is much more of a reader than a writer at this point). I only wish there was a book like this for every one of our trips!
" --Amazon reader |
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"A Young Patriot: The American Revolution As
Experienced by One Boy," by Jim Murphy, paperback (Clarion Books 1998).
"Joseph Plumb Martin enlisted in the Connecticut militia in 1776 as a
sixteen-year-old. Using Martin's first-person account of his participation in the
Revolutionary War as his primary source, Murphy tells the story of one teenager's life as
a soldier. Murphy weaves Martin's story into a broader tale, giving background about the
causes of the Revolution and providing an account of the unfolding of the war, the
significant battles, and the war's end. As he has in previous books, the author shows a
talent for choosing and explicating details that make history both personal and
fascinating. The description of the winter at Valley Forge includes the fact that the
soldiers were too tired and hungry even to build themselves shelter from the cold;
Washington had to bribe the soldiers by offering a prize of twelve dollars to the group
who finished building a hut first." |
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"Phoebe the Spy,"
Judith Griffin (Author), Margot Tomes (Illustrator) (Putnam Juvenile 2002). "Someone is planning to kill George Washington, and young Phoebe Fraunces is trying to save his life. Phoebe gets a job as George Washington's housekeeper, but her real job is to work as a spy. She listens and watches very carefully, and she meets her father every day to tell him what she has learned. One day Phoebe's father tells her that Washington is planning to leave town in a few days, and the person plotting against him will act before then. Phoebe is very frightened, but she is determined to figure out who is after Washington before it's too late. . . .
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"My Brother Sam Is Dead," by James Lincoln Collier (Scholastic Paperbacks 2005). "This book describes the fictional adventures of the Meeker family of Redding, Connecticut, though much of the context of the story -- including setting, characters and situations -- is true. The action takes place between April 1775 and February 1779. Tim Meeker begins as an 11-year old boy; his father runs the town's tavern and general store and remains loyal to the English king, while his beloved older brother Sam has just run off to join the Rebels and fight for freedom from the British.
" -- Amazon reader |
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"Johnny Tremain," by Esther Hoskins Forbes (Houghton Mifflin 1943). "This story of a tragically injured young silversmith who ends up hip-deep in the American Revolution is inspiring, exciting, and sad. Winner of the prestigious Newbery Award in 1944, Esther Forbes's story has lasted these 50-plus years by including adventure, loss, courage, and history in a wonderfully written, very dramatic package. It's probably not great for little guys but mature 11-year-olds or older will find it a great adventure." |
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"We're There! Washington, DC," by Elizabeth Skinner Grumbach (KidQuest 2005). "Visiting Washington, DC with your kids? This book is sure to engage and entertain your children with fun scavenger hunts and puzzles relating to what you are seeing as you explore our nation's Capital. Beautiful photography and eye-catching graphics will keep your children busy at museums along the Mall, at the Capitol Building and Supreme Court and at other major attractions around Washington, DC. We’ve even included activities to keep them happy while waiting for a meal or on line! This interactive book becomes a personalized keepsake of their trip by the end of the visit." |
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"Civil War On Sunday," by Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) (Random House 2000). "Traveling back in time from the rumbling thunderstorms of present-day Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, to the booming of Civil War cannonballs near Richmond, Virginia, Jack and Annie set out on their 21st Magic Tree House adventure. The mysterious Morgan le Fay, magical librarian of Camelot, the long-ago kingdom of King Arthur, has left the brother and sister a message in their magic tree house, asking for their help saving Camelot. "Please find these four special kinds of writing for my library: Something to follow, Something to send, Something to learn, Something to lend." Jack and Annie enthusiastically transport themselves to a field near the fighting, and soon are enlisted as volunteer nurses assisting none other than Clara Barton, legendary "Angel of the Battlefield," as she drives her horse-drawn ambulance right onto the battlefields to help save wounded soldiers--including one with a very special connection to Jack and Annie." |
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DC Links - Washington Essentials
URL: http://www.TheCapitol.Net/VisitingDC/bookschildren.htm Last updated:
June 30, 2008
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