United States History - Elementary

In this, her latest book in the "Young Life" series, Mrs. Mohan introduces young readers to Mother Katherine Drexel (canonized in October 2000), the first American born, Catholic born saint.

Katherine Mary Drexel (Katie) was born to a wealthy Catholic family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1858. As a child she had everything she could wish for - a beautiful playhouse with "carpets, child-size furniture and even a full kitchen." Her parents and her teachers (the sisters from the convent nearby) instilled in her a love for Jesus, and especially the Blessed Sacrament. She struggled with many things familiar to families today - such as trying to understand why she had three sets of grandparents (her own mother died just after Katie was born and her father remarried). The story (which is the style of a first-person narrative - i.e. from the viewpoint of Katie herself) provides warm and personal details about the developing spiritual life of a child which provide an excellent example for young readers in counting their blessings and using their talents for good.

Katie and her two sisters lost their parents when they were still young ladies. Left with a vast fortune, they had to make decisions about suporting charitable organizations. Katie became interested in Missions on American Indian Reservations. Eventually she founded an order of nuns - the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. During her lifetime she "opened, staffed, and directly supported nearly sixty schools and missions" and dedicated her life to helping Native and African Americans throughout the United States.

This book includes the story (along with a picture) of two children who prayed to Mother Katherine Drexel for a cure for their little sister. Her miraculous cure was accepted by the Vatican as a true miracle in the investigation process for her canonization. The book also includes many charming black and white photos of Katie and her family, a chronology of her life, and a glossary.

Besides the worthwhile story of a great American saint, the book gives us a glimpse of life in 19th century America. Although many particulars of a Catholic family life are familiar to us today, evidence of the Victorian era are present in instances such as how the nurse explains to the children that their new little sister was brought by angels who visited their mama and papa during the night. The story is charming and gives the reader the feeling that they are really getting to know Mother Drexel very personally. Although I was disappointed with previous writings of Mrs. Mohan (I believe it was because I found the stories too terse, too brief) I thought this story was quite nice and I also appreciate the numerous black and white photos which make for an attractive and appealing book.

This Bethlehem Budget Book contains two books in one softcover volume: Old Sam, Thoroughbred Trotter (copyright 1955) and Old Sam and the Horse Thieves (copyright 1967).

Old Sam is the story of two young boys (ages 10 and 12) living in the wild Dakota Territory of the 1880s and their crippled - but extremely capable - horse named Old Sam. They are based on the author's own homesteading experiences as a young boy. Although there are similarities in time and location, unlike the Little House books which focus so much on family life, the Old Sam books are more like adventure stories about the two boys and their horse exploring the strange untamed land around them, "hunting" for wild animals and "bad guys" and proving to others how great Old Sam really is. A delightful story even on a very simple level, with many funny and interesting plot twists (I had to re-read favorite chapters aloud to Daddy at dinner time under persistent urging from my children), the book also portrays an important historical look at pioneer life and the author shares wisdom in experiences relating to using one's head, dealing with neighbors and the importance of courage, fortitude and basic competence. Naturally, the book makes especially great reading for boys and horse-lovers. Our family enjoyed this book so much as a read aloud that my husband and I ordered a number of copies for Christmas presents for our godchildren.

The second story focuses on Johnny and Old Sam's role in unraveling the problem of a band of horse-thieves plaguing the neighborhood. Although still quite young, Johnny's competence and fairness earn him the respect of the Sheriff and other important men of the town. A really great story, this is bound to be a family favorite. It is the sort of story that will likely help reluctant readers (especially boys in mid-grade school) learn to appreciate a really good book. It also touches upon some tough questions about fairness and justice that young readers can grapple with alongside the hero of the book.

A surprisingly in-depth account of the characters involved in the writing of the United States' Constitution and many of the fascinating details of life at that time, the struggles involved in such a monumental task, and the somewhat humorous attitudes and actions of our Founding Fathers. Approximately 4th grade reading level, but could be read aloud to younger children (and would be informative for older ones as well).

We've always been big fans of the Provensens. Martin and Alice Provensen authored and illustrated so many of our early childhood favorites including The Year at Maple Hill Farm, Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm, and A Book of Seasons. The two also illustrated The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown as well as the original Fuzzy Duckling. Their folksy artistic style is rich in character and their humor and insight appeals as much to parents as to children.

I had always known about the Provensen's picture books for older children, but hadn't started reading them until now. It seems my oldest son is the perfect age (9) for beginning an appreciation of The Buck Stops Here, and he's taken to it like a duck to water.

This book defies categorization in more ways than one. It is not for the very young, as many references are lost on children. It is not for the older crowd because of the simplicity of style and whimsy of rhymes. It isn't a History book in the sense that there is not much text or explanation of historical references. And if it is an art book, the subject is strange and the style plain.

So what is it exactly? It is all of these things together and none of them alone. The Buck Stops Here is a collection of artistic renditions and catchy rhymes for young and old about the first 41 presidents of the United States. The large, square watercolor portrait of each president is decorated with the ideas, events, and dilemmas that shaped each presidency, and thus the history of these fifty United States. Rhymes such as, "Reagan, Forty, reached his goal, Acting out his favorite role," and "Thomas Jefferson, Number three, Rigged the sale of the century" have a way of staying with a person. I have since read reviews online of this book and have not been surprised to read about grown men remembering the order of the presidents and key points of American history by turning the pages of this book over in their imaginations.

We've only just begun to enjoy this work, but I see it is has become a fast favorite as I just heard my son repeating, "Teddy Roosevelt, Twenty-six, Whisper softly, wave big sticks."