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Excerpts
from THE SERVICE LEARNING BOOKSHELF
Bookshelf
Curriculum Connections!
Note that using these titles directly relate
to literacy and reading skills and standards.
Click on highlighted authors to read their interviews.
"Connects to" and "Service"
are added on the website and are not featured
in The Bookshelf.
GREAT
READ
Giblin, James Cross.
When Plague Strikes: the Black
Death, Smallpox, AIDS. HarperCollins,
1995. Grades 6-12.
This compelling study of three deadly epidemics
demonstrates that though separated by centuries,
the similarity in social, political, and cultural
reactions are noteworthy. While each disease
brought medical advances, each disease caused
blame to be placed on people where none was
deserved. The insights into the human condition
are as provocative as the studies of history
and medical advances .
Connects to: social psychology, human
relations, science, health, medieval studies,
anthropology
Service: positive group dynamics, AIDS Education
and Awareness
HIGH
LEVEL READING...MOTIVATIONAL STORIES
Hogan, Linda, Deena
Metzger and Brenda Peterson, eds.
Intimate Nature—The Bond Between Women
and Animals. Fawcett Columbine, 1998.
Young adult.
In this collection of stories, poetry, and essays,
women scientists and writers speak out about
their experiences that create kinship with animals.
The readings are simultaneously a celebration
and a wake-up call to this "ancient...dialogue
between species." The seventy contributors include
Barbara Kingsolver, Jane Goodall, Diane Fossey,
and Marge Piercy.
Connects to: social studies, literature,
anthropology
Service: Animals in Danger
DELIGHTFULLY
ROWDY CHARACTERS
Collicott, Sharleen
Toestomper and the Caterpillars. Houghton
Mifflin, 1999.
Toestomper
and his group of Rowdy Ruffians are mean and
they like it that way. When a family of fuzzy
caterpillars follows Toestomper home, much to
his surprise he discovers he cares about the
furry creatures. A hilarious story with a message
about bullying and friendship.
Connects to: social studies, group
relations, personal and group safety, literature
Service: Community Safety
AN
ACT OF VIOLENCE EXAMINED
Walter, Virginia
Making Up Megaboy. Delacorte Press,
1998. 63 pages. Grades 5-12.
What provoked thirteen-year-old Robbie Jones
to shoot an old man in the neighborhood store?
He isn’t talking, but through the voices
of people who know Robbie, we may gain insight
into this tragic event.
Connects to: social studies, group
relations, personal and group safety, literature—especially
point of view
Service: Community Safety
INTERACTING
WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MEMORY LOSS
Kaye,
Devora and Gabi
Roussos
Conversation Starters As Easy
As ABC 123–How to start conversations with
people who have memory loss. ABCD Books,
2000.
Written by 8th grade students, this
ABC coloring book is a friendly guide for young
people who are interacting with people who have
memory loss.
Connects to: social studies, group
relations, psychology, health
Service: Elderly
BILINGUAL
BOOK FOR EMERGING GARDENERS
Stevens, Jan Romero.
Carlos and the Cornfield--Carloso
y la Milpa de Maiz. Rising Moon, 1995.
Young Carlos tries to rush the planting process
when he cares more about the money he will earn
than the corn he will grow. When his conscience
causes him to set things right, the crops that
are harvested surprise the whole family. Cosechas
lo que siembras—you reap what you sow.
Bilingual, English and Spanish text.
Connects to: science, math, Spanish/English
Service: Gardening
A
GARDEN OF DELIGHT!
Rosen,
Michael J.,
ed.
Down to Earth—Garden Secrets! Garden
Stories! Garden Projects You Can Do!
Harcourt Brace, 1998. All ages.
"A garden plot is more than just a piece of
land. It's a story." So begins this extraordinary
compilation of poetry, stories, artwork, and
recipes for successful and creative gardens.
Along with Michael Rosen, 41 children's book
authors and illustrators contributed their work
so that proceeds from the book can directly
support Share Our Strength, a leading anti-hunger
organization.
Connects to: science, language arts,
visual arts
Service: Gardening
REVOLUTIONIZE
YOUR CAN FOOD DRIVE
Pomeranc,
Marion Hess.
The Can-Do Thanksgiving. A. Whitman,
1998.
When
Dee brings a can of peas to school for the canned
food drive, she keeps asking, "Where do my peas
go?" Her persistent questioning results in a
class project to prepare and serve food for
people in need at Thanksgiving. An excellent
resource for transforming the traditional can
food drive into a service learning project.
Connects to: language arts,
science, math, social studies
Service: Hunger and Homelessness
CHECK
OUT THE FREE FOOD DRIVE CURRICULUM —
includes The Can-Do Thanksgiving in play
form!
LEARN
ABOUT THE ORPHAN TRAIN — AN HISTORICAL
CONNECTION TO HOMELESSNESS
Bunting, Eve
A Train to Somewhere. Clarion,
1996.
In the late 1800s, A young girl rides the orphan
train out west hoping to somehow find her mother
who abandoned her years ago. With each stop
she watches children the other children being
adopted, and yet she continues riding the train.
At the last stop, in the town of Somewhere,
Marianne finds a home.
Connects
to:
social studies
Service: Hunger and Homelessness
CARING
RELATIONSHIPS
Newman,
Lesléa
Too Far Away to Touch. Clarion,
1995.
Little Zoe and her Uncle Leonard enjoy adventures
together. While at the Planetarium, Zoe asks,
"How far away are the stars?" "Too
far away to touch, close enough to see,"
her uncle answers. When Leonard becomes weaker
due to AIDS, the message from the Planetarium
has special meaning.
Connects
to: language arts, social studies, science
Service: All projects
RESOURCES FOR SOCIAL ACTION
Lewis,
Barbara
The Kid's Guide to Social Action: How
to Solve the Social Problems You Choose—and
Turn Creative Thinking into Positive Action.
Free Spirit, 1991. Grades 4-12.
A resource guide for students and teachers to
learn social action skills and solve problems
on a local, state, and national level.
Connects to: language arts, social studies,
government
Service: All projects
The books listed above are not for sale through
ABCD Books; they are available for purchase
through your local independent bookstore.
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