THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KALEY by Dian Curtis Regan (Darby Creek, 2005)

Mr. Serrano has asked Kaley to write essays about world history, and she’s filling her notebook with them–doodles and all. She’s including FACTS and footnotes and graphs and maps (okay, with maybe a little urging), and, more importantly, she’s including her unique and spirited interpretation of times past. Meanwhile, Kaley has a home to find for a puppy, adjust to her new baby brother (not sister!),

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MINNIE SAVES THE DAY: THE ADVENTURES OF MINNIE by Melodye Benson Rosales (Little Brown, 2001)

Dolls come to life in this new hardcover chapter book series with lovely color interior illustrations. The story has cross-cultural appeal but is also the rare fantasy in an African American family and community. It also works as a window to Chicago’s Bronzeville community in the 1930s, where the story is set. Ages 5-9.

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CABIN IN THE SNOW (Book Two of the Prairie Sky Series) by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Patrick Faricy (Aladdin, 2002)

The story of Charlie’s trip into Lawrence with Papa. When Papa decides to help defend Lawrence from border ruffians, Charlie has to drive the wagon back to their claim and face a blizzard and a newborn baby alone. Each book includes an authentic recipe from the time. Teachers looking for history curriculum tie-ins (especially Kansas teachers) to help explain the complicated struggle between free-state settlers and proslavery proponents should consider this series.

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