Bibliography

Theme 2: Celebrating Traditions

The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Recommended Leveled Books for Independent Reading

Below Level

Hurray for the Fourth of July by Wendy Watson
Clarion 1992 (32p) also paper
A family celebrates the Fourth of July in a small Vermont town.

The Wedding by Angela Johnson
Orchard 1999 (32p)
Daisy is both glad and sorry that her older sister is getting married.
Multicultural

Thanksgiving with Me by Margaret Willey
Harper 1999 (32p)
A little girl anticipates the arrival of her uncles for Thanksgiving dinner.

On Mardi Gras Day by Fatima Shaik
Dial 1998 (32p)
Children in New Orleans wear costumes and celebrate Mardi Gras.
Multicultural

Daughter's Day Blues by Laura Pegram
Dial 2000 (32p)
Phyllis Mae is delighted when her family decides to celebrate Daughter's Day.
Multicultural

An Amish Wedding by Richard Ammon
Atheneum 1998 (32p)
Anna prepares for her November wedding.

A Picnic in October by Eve Bunting
Harcourt 1999 (32p)
Tony's grandmother wants to celebrate her birthday at the Statue of Liberty.

Jake Johnson: The Story of a Mule by Tres Seymour
DK Ink 1999 (32p)
Farmer Puckett wonders how to get the fireworks to the Fourth of July celebration.

Basket Moon by Mary Lyn Ray
Little 1999 (32p)
A young boy decides to continue the family tradition of weaving baskets from tree splints and twigs.

I Have an Olive Tree by Eve Bunting
Harper 1999 (32p)
Sophia finally learns why her grandfather gave her an olive tree for her birthday.

Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Lothrop 1983 (32p) also paper
This story from the author's family history teaches that there can be more than one kind of Pilgrim. Available in Spanish as Molly y lost peregrinos. Classic

On Level

Nickommoh! by Jackie French Koller
Atheneum 1999 (32p)
The Narragansett people celebrate a harvest feast called Nickommoh.
Multicultural

* Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn by Edna Barth
Clarion 1975 (96p)
The story of Thanksgiving and its symbols and legends.

Songs of Shiprock Fair by Luci Tapahonso
Kiva 1999 (32p)
Nezbah, a young Navajo girl, relates her family's experiences at the Shiprock Fair.
Multicultural

Easter Parade by Eloise Greenfield
Hyperion 1998 (64p)
Leanna and her cousin hope for new dresses for the Easter Parade.
Multicultural

Celebrating Chinese New Year by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Holiday 1999 (32p)
In San Francisco, a family prepares to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Multicultural

* Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags by James Giblin
Clarion 1983 (96p)
Stories of the symbols of the Fourth of July, including the flag, the bald eagle, and Uncle Sam.

Red Bird by Barbara Mitchell
Lothrop 1996 (32p)
Kare, know as Red Bird, and her family celebrate their Nanticoke heritage.
Multicultural

Moon Festival By Ching Yeung Russell
Boyd Mills 1997 (32p)
The author recalls celebrating the traditional Moon Festival when she was a child in China.
Multicultural

Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Philomel 1988 (32p) also paper
Rechenka, and injured goose rescued by Babuska, lays some marvelous eggs.

* Piñatas and Paper Flowers by Lila Perl
Clarion 1983 (91p)
This bilingual book describes holidays celebrated throughout America.
Multicultural

Above Level

A Pioneer Thanksgiving by Barbara Greenwood
Kids Can 1999 (48p)
The pioneer Robertson family prepare for Thanksgiving in 1841.

A Boy Becomes a Man at Wounded Knee By Ted Wood and Wanbli Numpa Afraid of Hawk
Walker 1992 (48p) also paper
A contemporary Lakota boy commemorates the death of his ancestors at Wounded Knee.
Multicultural