Thomson, Sarah L. Stars and stripes: the story of the American flag. Harper Collins. New York 2003.
Summary:
Sarah Thomson gives a look into the history of the American flag and the changes that it underwent over the years. This book takes a brief look into American history as well in order to explain the birth of the flag and the reason that this symbol was so important to the American people.
Author: Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrator: Bob Dacey and Debra Bandelin
Illustrations: Illustrations appear to be acrylics or oils. No information found about the medium the artists use.
Access Features: Notes on the flags, What about Betsy Ross?
Grade Level: PreK-3
Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2004
Curriculum: Social Studies
Classroom Use: This would be a wonderful resource to use in a unit about national symbols.
Book Design: Cover is a long rectangle like the flag and has an illustration of the flag that appears to be waving. The end pages are bright red like the red on the flag and all the pages have a blue outline with stars at the top of the page with the writing on it. The red, white, and blue are much brighter than the other colors in the illustrations to make these colors stand out more.
Writing Style: This bok is very simple and is written using easily understood language. It is definitely written for children and Thomson uses very few terms that she has to explain. However, she does give an accurate account of the history of the flag and the changes that it underwent over the years.
Credibilty: In her acknowledgements, Thomson thanks a man at the Flag Research Center for his time and review. It appears that he is an expert on the subject of the flag and he helped Thomson with the facts she used while writing this book.
Standards: Social Studies-Standard 1: Culture; Standard 2: Time, Continuity, and Change
Related Texts: The Flage we Love-Pam Munoz Ryan; Stars and Stripes Forever: The History, Stories, and Memories of our American Flag-Richard H. Schneider; F is for Flag-Wendy Cheyette Lewison; Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag-Kit Hinnichs
Response:
This book is such a great read. It is an amazingly accurate account of the history of the flag and all the changes that the flag went through before it came to it's present state. It is a short and simple read that would be wonderful to read aloud. It also addresses the issue of Betsy Ross and the role that she played (or did not play) in the creation of the American flag. I reallyenjoyed reading about the controversy that surround the flag and the time it took to decide how the flag would look and the uniform laws that govern it.
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4 comments:
I have this book and actually use it with my 4th and 5th graders so that when we stand up and say the pledge each morning, they really understand what they are saying.
Imagine that--knowing what the pledge actually means--something kids say from the time they're in preschool but most haven't a clue what it means! I'm glad to hear Debbie's students know what it means!!!!!
Excellent description of the book design
I've done mini-units on American symbols before and this would be a great book to read with students. It would be a great tie in with fifth grade American history and teach students more about a symbol that can be taken for granted.
Wow! This sounds like a great book! Dr. Swafford is right, so many kids have absolutely no idea what the pledge means. This would be a great book for every classroom!
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