Unit 7: Civilizations of the Americas
INDEPENDENT READING
Easy
The World's Great Explorers; Hernando Cortˇs
by Conrad Stein
Children's Press, 1991 (128p)
The author clearly presents the world of the 16th century, Hernando Cortˇs, and his conquest of the Aztecs. This book also provides some actual period drawings of the city of Tenochtitlán and artifacts.
The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico
by Bernal Diaz Del Castillo
Da Capo Press, 1996 (478p)
This is the eyewitness account of Spanish conquistador Bernal Diaz Del Castillo, who traveled with Hernando Cortˇs.
What Do We Know About the Aztecs?
by Joanna Defrates
Bedrick, 1993 (44p)
Discussed here are the history, customs, religion, of the Aztecs and speculation about their eventual fate.
Rain Player
by David Wisniewski
Clarion, 1991 (32p)
In this original tale based on Mayan beliefs, a boy must defeat the Rain God in a ball game to save his people from disaster.
City of the Gods: Mexico's Ancient City of Teotihuacan
by Caroline Arnold
Houghton Mifflin, 1994 (48p)
This photo-essay explores the ruins of the ancient metropolis and ceremonial complex.
Aztec, Inca, and Maya
by Elizabeth Baquedano
Knopf, 1993 (64p)
Color photos enhance this discussion of three of the great civilizations of the West.
Maya's Children: The Story of La Llorona
by Rudolfo Anaya
Hyperion, 1997 (32p)
Anaya tells his version of the Latin American legend of La Llorona, known as "the crying woman."
The Tree That Rains: The Flood Myth of the Huichol Indians of Mexico
by Emery Bernhard and Durga Bernhard
Holiday, 1994 (32p)
In this myth, people forgot the gods and were punished by a flood lasting five years, after which a magic fig tree provided all the rain necessary.
Average
The Aztec News
by Philip Steele
Candlewick Press, 1997 (32p)
This book presents detailed information and illustrations of the Aztec civilization, Tenochtitlán, and Cortés' invasion from an Aztec "newspaper's perspective. It also provides some great visuals for classroom models.
The Aztec News
by Philip Steele, et al
Candlewick, 1997 (32p)
In newspaper format, this fact-filled introduction to Aztec life and times includes information on sports, politics, and religion.
Discovering the Ice Maiden
by Johan Reinhard
National Geo., 1998 (48p)
Anthropologist Reinhard tells of his discovery of a mummified Inca female on the summit ot Ampato. Photos, maps, and timeline included.
The Conquest of Mexico
by Stephen R. Lilley
Lucent, 1997 (128p)
The author shows how the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztecs they conquered had much in common.
Clothes and Crafts in Aztec Times
by Imogen Dawson
Silver, 1997 (32p)
From the Clothes and Crafts series, this book takes a look at Aztec dress.
Frozen Girl
by David Getz
Holt, 1998 (80p)
Getz tells the story of the extraordinary discovery of a female Incan mummy in Peru.
The Secret of the Andes
by Ann Nolan Clark
Puffin, 1976 (136p) paper
In this award-winning story, a modern Incan boy lives in the mountains of Peru and trains in the traditions and customs of his ancestors.
The Corn Grows Ripe
by Dorothy Rhoads
Puffin, 1993 (96p)
When his father is injured, Tigre must assume the responsibility for planting the corn the family needs to survive and to appease the Mayan gods.
Challenging
The Incas and the Spanish Conquest
by Wyatt Blassingame
Julian Messner, 1980 (191p)
This work presents the history of the Inca Empire and Pizarro's invasion.
The Monkey's Haircut and Other Stories Told by the Mayans
edited by John Bierhorst
Morrow, 1986 (160p)
Into a discussion of Mayan culture, the author weaves twenty-two myths and folktales.
The Captive
by Scott O'Dell
Houghton Mifflin, 1979 (224p)
A Jesuit seminarian is changed forever when he witnesses the enslavement and exploitation of the Mayan by the Spanish.
The Feathered Serpent
by Scott O'Dell
Houghton Mifflin, 1981 (224p)
A man the Mayans believe is the god Kukulcan sees the coming of Cortés and the capture of the Aztec city Tenochtitlán.
Daily Life in the Inca Empire
by Michael A. Malpass
Greenwood, 1996 (80p)
Anthropologist Malpass presents in alternating chapters a day in the life of a ruling family and of a conquered family.
BOOKS TO READ ALOUD
The Mythology of Mexico and Central America
edited by John Bierhorst
Morrow, 1990 (256p)
Bierhorst introduces the gods, heroes, and mythlogy from the Aztec and Mayan civilizations and of Indian groups living today.
The Quetzal: Sacred Bird of the Forest
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Morrow, 1996 (40p)
The author tells the story of this endangered bird and its significance to the people of Mexico and Central America.
The Tree Is Older Than You Are
by Naomi Shihab Nye
Simon, 1995 (112p)
This collection of poems and stories from Mexico is in English and Spanish and illustrated by Mexican artists.
BOOKS FOR TEACHERS
Aztecs: Reign of Blood and Splendor
edited by Charlotte Anker, et al
Time-Life, 1992 (168p)
Accompanying this close look at Aztec life are colorful illustrations of Aztec art and architecture.
The Blood of Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art
by Linda Schele and Mary Ellen Miller
George Braziller, 1986 (355p)
The authors offer detailed information about the rise and fall of the Mayan empire before the arrival of the Spanish.
MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES
Videocassettes
Mayan: Apocalypse Then 27 min.
Centre Communications, 1988
Lost Empire of Tiwanaku 17 min.
National Geographic, 1993
The Second Voyage of the Mimi 30 min.
Sunburst Communications, 1988
Suemi's Story: My Modern Mayan Home 25 min.
United Learning, 1991
Software
South America and Antarctica (Computer-Interactive Videodisc)
STV: World Geography
National Geographic, 1994
Exploring the Lost Maya (CD-ROM)
Sumeria, 1996
Legends of the Americas (CD-ROM)
Troll Associates, 1995
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Unit 8: Europe 1600-1789
INDEPENDENT READING
Easy
The Paradox of Jamestown 1585-1700
by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier
Benchmark Books, 1998 (93p)
This book provides the story of the early English colonization efforts and the Jamestown colony. It is also a great glimpse of Elizabethan England.
The Jamestown Colony
by Carter Smith
Silver Press, 1991 (64p)
This book presents detailed, but easy to read background information about European exploration and colonization of the Americas as it presents the history of Jamestown, Virginia.
King's Day: Louis XIV of France
by Aliki
Harper, 1989
This look at Louis XIV focuses on the elaborate ceremonies that accompanied everything he did, from dressing and eating to conducting affairs of state.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
by Victor Hugo
DK, 1997 (64p)
This abridged version of the classic also contains marginalia that explains the times and customs.
Queen Elizabeth I
by Robert Green
Watts, 1997 (64p)
The author offers a close look at the strong-willed Elizabeth and her reign.
The Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare
by Diane Stanley
Morrow, 1992 (40p)
Shakespeare, born the son of a glovemaker, became the greatest playwright in the English-speaking world.
Average
Elizabethan England
by Ruth Ashby
Benchmark, 1998 (80p)
The author looks at the culture and social conditions in England during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Bartholomew Fair
by Mary Stolz
Greenwillow, 1990 (160p) also paper
In this well-known story, six people from various walks of life attend London's Bartholomew's Fair in 1597 and are changed forever by the experience.
Helen Williams and the French Revolution
edited by Jane Shuter
Raintree, 1966 (48p)
This informative book is based on letters written by a British woman living in Paris at the time of the Reign of Terror.
The Glorious Revolution
by Clarice Swisher
Lucent, 1996 (112p)
The author describes the events leading to the bloodless overthrow of the English monarchy in 1688.
Challenging
The Times Atlas of World History
Hammond Fourth Edition,1994 (135p)
This reference presents a unit of historical maps and content illustrating European global expansion and several maps of the Americas.
Westward Ho!
by Charles Kingsley
Scribners, 1992 (432p)
N.C. Wyeth's illustrations enhance this new edition of an adventure story, first published in 1855, about those who sailed with Sir Francis Drake.
Life in the Elizabethan Theater
by Diane Yancey
Lucent, 1996 (112p)
The author describes the lives of those involved in Elizabethan theater and how the theater reflected the social and political concerns of the time.
Black Swan
by Farrukh Dhondy
Houghton Mifflin, 1993 (208p)
While visiting in present-day London, Rose suddenly finds herself in the world of Elizabethan theater and in a mystery about the true authorship of Shakespeare's plays.
BOOKS TO READ ALOUD
Shakespeare's Stories: Tragedies
retold by Beverly Birch
Bedrick, 1990
Birch's retellings provide a good introduction to Shakespeare's plays. By the same author, see also Shakespeare's Stories: Histories and Shakespeare's Stories: Comedies.
The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas
Puffin, 1995 (224p)
Dumas' swashbuckling adventure set in sixteenth-century France has been abridged. Other editions available.
BOOKS FOR TEACHERS
The First Elizabeth
by Carolly Erickson
St. Martin's, 1997 (448p)
All facets of the life of the diplomatic ruler of England are brought to life.
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