Category: Teamwork

The Eternal Soldier: The True Story of How a Dog Became a Civil War Hero

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During the Civil War, Sallie came to the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a gift from a townsperson, but she quickly became a favorite among her men. She marched with them from battle to battle, always guarding the unit’s colors, and even met President Lincoln. And over three long days at the battle of Gettysburg, Sallie stayed with the dead, guarded their bodies, and nearly died herself from hunger and thirst as the conflict raged on. Though she fell in battle, her loyalty was rewarded years later when her men met again on the battlefield at Gettysburg to erect her likeness in bronze so that she might eternally guard them. This beautiful story about a dog’s dedication and loyalty shows that bravery comes in all shapes and forms!

Effort, Courage, Kindness, Teamwork, Adaptability, Perseverance, Trustworthiness, Leadership, Responsibility, Patience

Nonfiction

New or Not Yet Leveled

Bunny’s Book Club Goes to School

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Bunny and his forest friends meet at the town library every Saturday morning for book club. But one summer day, their library buddy Josie confesses to Bunny that she’s nervous about starting school. Bunny has an idea: He’ll go with her! Soon, Bunny’s friends Bear, Raccoon, Bird, Porcupine, Squirrel, Mole, Mouse, and Frog decide to join him—and Josie’s first day of school turns into a critter-filled adventure! 
For any child starting school, here’s a comforting, funny, and very fuzzy celebration of friendship that will make everyone excited to hit the books.

Kindness, Perseverance, Initiative, Critical Thinking-Problem Solving, Leadership, Innovation, Responsibility, Teamwork, Patience, Trustworthiness, Adaptability, Creativity, Effort, Cleverness, Excellent Attitude

Fiction

New or Not Yet Leveled

Long May She Wave

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Discover the story of the girl who sewed the American flag that inspired the lyrics of the National Anthem in this beautifully illustrated celebration of our country’s iconic symbol for freedom.

Courage, Perseverance, Responsibility, Teamwork, Leadership, Patient, Innovation, Initiative

Nonfiction

AR Reading Level 4.0

AR Point .5

Word Count 590

Our Library

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When Miss Goose announces that the library is going to close forever, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. Where will they get the help they need to save their beloved library? In books, of course! This cheery tale shows how important libraries are to every community. Bright, playful illustrations enhance the light treatment of this serious subject, in a story that celebrates the value of books in everyone’s lives.

Adaptability, Courage, Critical Thinking-Problem Solving, Initiative, Kindness, Optimism, Perseverance, Patience, Responsibility, Self Confidence, Teamwork

Fiction

AR Reading Level 2.4

AR Point .5

Word Count 744

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School

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“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”  -Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington had an incredible passion for learning. Born a slave, he taught himself to read. When the Civil War ended, Booker finally fulfilled his dream of attending school. After graduation, he was invited to teach in Tuskegee, Alabama. Finding many eager students but no school, Booker set out to build his own school—brick by brick.

Courage, Effort, Initiative, Leadership, Optimism, Perseverance, Teamwork

Nonfiction

AR Reading Level 3.7

AR Point .5

Word Count 1016

Saving the Liberty Bell

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Some tall tales are actually true. This is a grand one, told with rightful pride by a boy who was there in the city of Philadelphia in 1777 and was lucky enough to play a role in the American Revolution.
John Jacob Mickley, eleven years old, and his father were in the city when the Great Bell began ringing Brong! Brong! BRONG! from atop the State House to warn the citizens: “Redcoats! The Redcoats are coming!”
And come the British did — with their muskets and their cannons and their will to keep the colonies for their king. Looting they came and stealing any metal they could get their hands on to melt down for the making of more weapons. And the prize above all? The Great Bell itself — metal for many a cannon!
But these clever Patriots had other plans for keeping the Bell safe from the British.

 

Critical Thinking-Problem Solving, Initiative, Perseverance, Responsibility, Teamwork

Fiction

AR Reading Level 4.0

AR Point .5

Word Count 1660

Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father

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Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington’s right-hand man. But his accomplishments don’t stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America’s first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was.

 

Courage, Initiative, Leadership, Responsibility, Teamwork, Trustworthiness

Nonfiction

AR Reading Level 3.7

AR Point .5

Word Count 996

Wagon Wheels

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Based on  a true story!

After the Civil War, the Muldie boys and their father came along way to Kansas to look for land.

They had heard about the Homestead Act, which promised free land to anyone who was willing to settle the West.

They build a dugout house and live through a hard winter, saved from starvation by a band Osage Indians.

Spring comes and daddy moves on to find a better home for them.  The three boys are left to fend for themselves, and when at last daddy sends for them the boys must find courage to brave dangers of the wilderness alone.

Courage, Leadership, Responsibility, Teamwork, and Trustworthiness

Fiction

AR Reading Level 2.6

AR Point .5

Word Count 1619

 

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

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What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you’d help organize the first of each.

Franklin also designed the lightening rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, invented bifocals and the odometer -all inspired by his common sense and intelligence.

One of Franklin’s greatest accomplishments  came in the form of documents.  He had a pivotal role in developing America’s Constitution, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Declaration of Independence.

These creations, and more can be found in this informative book!

Innovation, Leadership, Teamwork

Nonfiction

AR Reading Level 5.1

AR Point .5

Word Count 890

 

 

The Marvelous Thing That Came From a Spring – The Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept the Nation

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It took the teamwork of a dreamer and a planner to turn an ordinary spring into a truly marvelous thing!

With magnificent dioramic illustrations, Gilbert Ford captures the joy, creativity, and determination behind the invention of an iconic, one-of-a-kind toy: the Slinky!

One day, a spring fell from the desk of Richard James, an engineer and a dreamer. Its coils took a walk…and so did Richard’s imagination. He knew right away that he had stumbled onto something marvelous.

With the help of his wife, Betty, Richard took this ordinary spring and turned it into a plaything. But it wasn’t just any old trinket—it was a Slinky, and it would become one of the most popular toys in American history.

Creativity and Teamwork

Nonfiction

AR Reading Level 4.2

AR Point .5

Word Count 685