Hallie Murray

The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial wars in American history, as many Americans opposed the United States' involvement in the war. The draft, which forced certain young men to fight in the war, even if they didn't want to, was particularly controversial. At the time, women were not allowed to fight in the military, but many worked directly in the conflict as nurses and administrators. Through fascinating and poignant interviews, this book tells the stories of six courageous women who served in the Vietnam War as they narrate their fascinating and sometimes difficult memories of the conflict.

The Role of Women in the Vietnam War

Ann Byers

Of the estimated six million Jews who died during the Holocaust, it is believed that at least three million died in work camps, where Jews were forced on pain of death to work on behalf the German military or perform backbreaking labor, and death camps like Auschwitz and Dachau. Originally built as prisons for Adolf Hitler's political opponents, these camps became the last stop for those deemed unacceptable under the Nazi regime, whether because of their race, religion, sexuality, or other attribute. Readers will learn of the horrors of the gas chambers, which could kill hundreds at once, the countless crematoria for burning dead bodies, and the horrific experiments of the infamous Joseph Mengele. Survivors' accounts of these atrocities will spur student discussion of trauma and PTSD, while tales of resistance attempts will engender conversation about courageous action in the face of almost certain death.

Living and Dying in Nazi Concentration Camps

A hot button issue that is in the news daily, the right to bear arms is one of Americans most provincial and cherished rights. There are more guns per capita in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Through engaging and enlightening text, the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, is studied in-depth. Analyzing the varying views on the amendment, students will get the opportunity to learn about the different interpretations of the amendment. The history of the amendment, as well as its creators, supporters, and detractors are studied thoroughly. Primary source documents allow readers to examine the amendments themselves and come up with their own conclusions. Full-color and black-and-white photos help students better understand the Bill of Rights and its creation. Further reading and sidebars encourage students to explore the amendments further, and a glossary helps students master new vocabulary.

The Second Amendment

The Right to Bear Arms

Known as one of the best pinch-hitting third baseman to ever play the game, Judy Johnson played seventeen seasons of Negro league baseball before retiring in 1937. Johnson was known for his calm and professional demeanor on the field, and he also managed many of the teams he played for. After his retirement, he went on to become one of the first black men hired to a coaching position for a Major League Baseball team. This book chronicles the life of the sports hero while introducing readers to the difficulties of living in a time of segregation and political upheaval.

Third Baseman and Manager

Judy Johnson

Linda Jacobs Altman

Though many teens and children did not fully understand what was happening in the early days of Adolf Hitler's reign, they certainly felt the effects of anti-Semitism. Students in Nazified schools were forced to perform the Hitler salute every day, and Jewish students were increasingly persecuted by teachers and peers alike. Friends turned against friends, and there was enormous pressure on young Gentiles to adhere to Hitler's racist policies, as Aryan teens were compelled and eventually forced to join the Hitler Youth or the League of German Girls. Students may find parallels between the pressure to conform in these groups and the echo chambers of social media. These stories of Nazi teens will spur discussion of the recruiting tactics and bonding rituals of racist groups in America today.

Teen Victims of the Nazi Regime

At the time of the American Revolution, women were not given many opportunities to participate in life outside the home. As many men headed off to war, their wives, daughters, and mothers had to take on new roles. Some women disguised themselves as men and fought as soldiers, while others helped the American war effort through spying and gathering information. Still others wrote and published revolutionary propaganda or helped raise money for the new American army and government. With this fascinating book, readers will be introduced to women working in all different capacities in the war that made America.

The Role of Women in the American Revolution

Inspire your readers with this biography. The exceptionally athletic Monte Irvin was an outfielder who started in the Negro leagues and eventually became one of the earliest black Major League Baseball players after joining the New York Giants in 1949. He played in two World Series with the Giants and after retiring worked as a baseball scout and served in an administrative role in the MLB commissioner's office. Readers will learn that as a mentor to Willie Mays, Irvin helped pave the way for other black players in the major leagues despite encountering racism on and off the field, and he was honored greatly later in life for his achievements.

Outstanding Outfielder

Monte Irvin

The fact that individuals accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty and safeguarded by a robust set of rights and protections is one of the things that sets the United States apart from many other nations. According to the Sixth Amendment, individuals accused of crimes have a number of important rights, including the right to a speedy trial, to a jury of peers, to be informed of the charges against them, to an attorney and witnesses in their defense, and to face their accuser. This book reviews the history of the Sixth Amendment, including the events that inspired it and the major Supreme Court cases related to it.

The Sixth Amendment

The Rights of the Accused in Criminal Cases

The Founding Fathers created the Eighth Amendment to protect the people from the kind of abuse they had seen while the colonies were under British rule. But to this day, Americans continue to argue about what exactly cruel and unusual, excessive bail, and excessive fines mean. Through full-color and black-and-white photos, engaging text, and primary sources, students will examine the events leading up to the Eighth Amendments creation, how it has been defined throughout the centuries, and how it is interpreted today. In addition, informative sidebars and a further reading section with books and websites encourage students to explore the people and events of this time in history in more depth.

Hallie Murray

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