A Gentle Tour Through Texas History

A Gentle Tour Through Texas History

Written by: Jodi Guerra

"A guide for teaching Texas History through existing books from the library, many of which are also available from Hendrick-Long Publishing. Reminiscent of teaching history through literature but with added websites and tours."

Online Resources:
http://hendricklongpublishing.com/product.php?id_prd=692

Shipwrecked on Padre Island

Shipwrecked on Padre Island

Written by: Isabel R. Marvin

"After the shipwreck, 13-year-old Catalina and her father spend frightening days on the island with other survivors. Fast forward to the present. A teenage visitor to Padre Island finds a bracelet lost by Catalina, thus forging a link between the two girls separated in time by 400 years."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.nps.gov/pais/historyculture/1554-1.htm
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/rrp1.html

Race to Velasco

Race to Velasco

Written by: Paul Spellman

"In 1830, rebel Texans marched to confront Mexican soldiers stationed at Fort Velasco on the Texas coast. In this historical fiction, two teenagers, Henry Woods and Antonio Gonzales, join the Texans. Along the way they encounter many Texas historical characters."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/VV/qfv1.html
http://www.forttumbleweed.net/velasco_webpage.html

Lyndon B. Johnson: 36th President of the United States

Lyndon B. Johnson: 36th President of the United States

Written by: Megan M. Gunderson

"This book traces the personal life and political career of the thirty-sixth president of the United States. Timeline included as well as a helpful index."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/main.htm

With Santa Anna in Texas: A Personal Narrative of the Revolution

With Santa Anna in Texas: A Personal Narrative of the Revolution

Written by: José Enrique de la Peña

Advanced Readers

"The recent discovery of a week’s worth of entries in an untranslated manuscript version of José Enrique de la Peña’s diary opens another chapter in the longstanding controversy over the diary’s authenticity.

In this expanded edition of With Santa Anna in Texas, Texas Revolution scholar James E. Crisp, who discovered the "missing week," discusses the history of the de la Peña diary controversy and presents new evidence in the matter. With this new material and the perspective Crisp provides, the diary should prompt a new round of debate over what really happened at the Alamo."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/santaanna.htm
http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/The_Battle/Commanders_of_the_Field/Mexican/Santa_Anna/

Time of the Texas Rangers: From 1900 to the Present

Time of the Texas Rangers: From 1900 to the Present

Written by: Mike Cox

Advanced Readers

"Texas writer-historian Mike Cox explores the origin and rise of the famed Texas Rangers. Starting in 1821 with just a handful of men, the Rangers' first purpose was to keep settlers safe from the feared and gruesome Karankawa Indians, a cannibalistic tribe that wandered the Texas territory. As the influx of settlers grew, the attacks increased, and it became clear that a larger, better trained force was necessary.

Taking readers through the major social and political movements of the Texas territory and into its statehood, Cox shows how the Rangers were a defining force in the stabilization and the creation of Texas. From Stephen Austin in the early days through the Civil War, the first eighty years of the Texas Rangers were nothing less than phenomenal, and the efforts put forth in those days set the foundation for the Texas Rangers who keep Texas safe today."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.texasranger.org/

Dream of Empire: A History of the Republic of Texas, 1836-1846

Dream of Empire: A History of the Republic of Texas, 1836-1846

Written by: John Edward Weems & Jane Weems

Advanced Readers

"Through the lives of 12 individuals, the history of Texas comes alive with all its color & turbulence, all its heroism & cowardice, all its wisdom & follies. Includes stories of Mary Maverick, Thomas Bell, others"

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/index.html

Texas Days of Glory

Texas Days of Glory

Written by: Pat Boyette
Historical Consultants: William Miller, K.R. Wood

Easy Readability

"Large size pictures trace the history of Texas using a comic book format. The book begins with coverage of the arrival and exploration of the first Spanish soldiers, priests, and colonists and continues through the coming of Anglo settlers and the Texas Revolution. The story gained inspiration from the work of K. R. Wood, author and performer of FATHERS OF TEXAS, a compilation of songs and stories about Texas history."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.summitartists.com/fathers/about.htm

Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

Written by: D.J. Lightfoot
Illustrated by: John Bobbish

Easy Readability

"The life of early Texas trail driver George Saunders is sketched in a simple style, with an emphasis on his cowboy years. Working from the subject's own writings, Lightfoot includes interesting details, dialogue, and lore from the man's childhood on a ranch during the Civil War to his teenage experience on his first real cattle drive north on the newly established Chisholm Trail. The hard life of riding and herding comes through, as does a love for challenges. An easy biography that Texas libraries especially will welcome, as will cowboy fans everywhere."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://members.authorsguild.net/djlightfoot/trail_fever__the_life_of_a_texas_cowboy_12553.htm

I Remember the Alamo

I Remember the Alamo

Written by: D. Anne Love

Easy Readability

"Jessie’s not surprised when her father says they’ll be moving from their Kentucky home to a better life in Texas. But there’s no work for her father in their new small town and Jessie doesn’t know how they’ll go on when tragedy strikes their family. Jessie’s only comfort is her new friend, a Mexican girl named Angelina. Their friendship must stay secret because Jessie’s father is joining other soldiers who are against Mexico in the fight for an independent Texas. When Jessie’s father and older brother leave, she and the rest of her family run toward the safety of the fort — the Alamo. What will become of the family now?"

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://youngtexasreader.blogspot.com/2009/03/alamo-lesson-plans.html

Stephen F. Austin: The Son Becomes Father of Texas

Stephen F. Austin: The Son Becomes Father of Texas

Written by: Mary Dodson Wade

Easy Readability

"The heroic life of Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," is vividly portrayed in this biography that describes how a gentle man finished the work of his father and helped found an independent Texas. Detailing how Austin inherited a grant of land with instructions to form a colony in Spanish-controlled Texas, this biography tells of how Stephen spent the next 15 years negotiating, cajoling, and eventually taking up arms against the newly independent Mexico to help found the Republic of Texas. Austin's patience, courage, and character are celebrated throughout this resource for young readers. A directory of web links, for teachers to employ as potential activities, is also included."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/kids/rangers/places/stephenaustin.htm

Make Way for Sam Houston

Make Way for Sam Houston

Written by: Jean Fritz
Illustrated by: Elise Primavera

Easy Readability

"This biography of the 19th-century hero captures his fascinating life. Fritz uses Houston’s belief in destiny to explain his interactions with other characters and responses to events. For example, Houston accepted Andrew Jackson’s vision of America because “now he had a picture and words for what he’d call Destiny” (p. 20). Houston considered the eagle a sign and allowed its presence to influence major decisions in his life."

SSC Social Studies Center

Online Resources:
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/Genealogy/children.shtml

I Am Sam Houston

I Am Sam Houston

Written by: Mary Wade

Easy Readability

"Sam Houston was a man as large as the events in which he took part. From his early years among the Cherokees in Tennessee through the time he served as president, senator, and governor of Texas, the Hero of San Jacinto was as colorful as the clothes he wore. Because of the way he made the S in his first name, his signature seemed to say, "I am Sam Houston."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/Reference/index.html

Sam and the Speaker's Chair: The Story of Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Sam and the Speaker's Chair: The Story of Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Written by: Maurine Liles

Easy Readability

"Sam Rayburn represented Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years, from 1912 to 1961. He was a democrat who earned the respect of Republicans during his 24 years as Speaker of the House. This book tells his story."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://friendsofsamrayburn.org/history.htm

Civil War Texas: A History and a Guide

Civil War Texas: A History and a Guide

Written by: Ralph A. Wooster

Advanced Readers

"Written by one of the deans of Texas history, Civil War Texas provides an authoritative, comprehensive description of Texas during the Civil War as well as a guide for those who wish to visit sites in Texas associated with the war. In one compact volume, the reader or tourist is led on an exciting historical journey through Civil War Texas."

TSHA Online

Online Resources:
http://www.teacheroz.com/Texas_History.htm
http://www.civilwar.com/

The Alamo

The Alamo

Written by: Mary Ann Hoffman

Easy Readability

"Readers will be exclaiming Remember the Alamo! after reading this rousing and informative account of the most famous of the Texas missions. In addition to the chronological history of the Alamo, readers will enjoy frequent biographical sidebars of American legends such as Davy Crockett and William Barrett Travis."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.thealamo.org/
http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/newsletter/archives/62010.php

Governing Texas: Local, State, and National Governments

Governing Texas: Local, State, and National Governments

Written by: Sutter Cane

Easy Readability

"The compelling history of Texas government, with all its layers and intricate workings, is zestfully presented in this book. Readers will be delighted by the big ideas and big political personalities of the lone star state."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/

The Land and Resources of Texas: Shaping the Growth of the State

The Land and Resources of Texas: Shaping the Growth of the State

Written by: Isabelle Marfa

Easy Readability

"The diverse geographic features of Texas offer unique opportunities in agriculture and business. This book examines how land and resources have helped shape its history and economy. Intriguing maps and graphic organizers are included to create a fun and enriched learning experience."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://irnr.tamu.edu/
http://www.texaslandtrustcouncil.org/

Causes and Effects of the Texas Revolution

Causes and Effects of the Texas Revolution

Written by: Therese Harasymiw

Easy Readability

"The Texas Revolution was a defining moment not only for Texas, but also for the United States. Readers will learn about the events that led up to the war for independence from Mexico, as well as the far-reaching effects of the war. Biographical sidebars highlight key figures, and timelines compare what was happening in the United States to the dramatic events of the Texas Revolution."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.taliesyn.com/ralph/battles.htm
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=312

The American Civil War in Texas

The American Civil War in Texas

Written by: Johanna Burke

Easy Readability

"With concise and accurate information, these books are good for beginning Texana researchers. Civil War discusses the state's involvement in the war, the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass, as well as influential leaders. The Alamo follows the chronological events leading up to the battle, but the book's main focus is the leaders. Biographical information on Houston, Bowie, Crockett, and Travis is provided. Missions tells why the Franciscans built missions in Texas from the first one in 1632 to their demise in the early 1800s. The failure to convert the Native Americans led Spain to abandon the concept.

Native Americans covers tribes by area. A few noteworthy leaders such as Geronimo and Quanah Parker are given tribute. Appearance, clothing, food, and shelter are briefly outlined. Large historical and modern photos, illustrations, and maps, most in full color, appear on every page. Captions are detailed and include additional tidbits. Attractive and useful for Texas libraries."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/civilwar/index.html