3.+Literature+List

//Amelia Earhart// //Free in the Skies// by Robert Burleigh (Illustrated by Bill Wylie) This creative biography about Amelia Earhart is written and illustrated like a comic book, making for an interesting read. The comic book format makes this biography seem more exciting than a run-of-the-mill historical biography, but readers will come away with a wealth of information about Amelia Earhart’s life and accomplishments. In particular, students who enjoy comic books and graphic novels will love this book.

//Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride// by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Illustrated by Brian Selznick) In this beautifully illustrated book, the author writes about two prominent female figures, their similarities, and their friendship. This book gives a fictitious account of the real event in which Amelia and Eleanor took a night flight over Washington, D.C., so its historicity is enhanced by the author’s added excitement. The author’s note explains that unlike in the book, the plane was actually flown by two other pilots alongside Amelia. Eleanor also took a turn flying the plane, which was not mentioned in the book. There is even a recipe for Eleanor Roosevelt’s angel food cake in the back of the book. Dialogue in this book is based on actual correspondences between the two women.

//Short Plays for Building Fluency: Famous Americans: 22 Reproducible Plays That Build Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension// by Scholastic The short play about Amelia Earhart in this book, titled “Flying into the Unknown,” covers important events in Amelia’s life in the form of a four-act play. Creating a readers theatre from this play would allow for an interactive learning experience, while at the same time allowing bodily-kinesthetic and interpersonal learners to shine. The play highlights events from her childhood, and the beginning and end of her aviation career. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for the classroom.

//A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart// by David A. Adler (Illustrated by Jeff Fisher) This picture book gives a biographical account of Amelia Earhart’s life. The illustrations are kid-friendly, and while there is a lot of text, the language is exciting. Amelia’s childhood, first flight, and other important accomplishments are covered, and it ends with Amelia’s mysterious and tragic disappearance on her very last flight, the flight in which she sought to fly around the entire world.

//Benjamin Franklin a Children’s Book// by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire This book is created for young children. With colorful and descriptive pictures students are sure to connect an object with a picture. In the book it gives a detailed summary about Ben Franklin from the time he was born all the way until he died. I feel that the students can relate to this story because it is a biography written for a child.

//Benjamin Franklin// by T.M. Usel This book hits the highlights of Ben Franklin’s life. Many vocabulary words are in bold print to make it easier for the students understand and pick out the important words of the story. A glossary is also in the book which helps students figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words related to Ben Franklin.