Category: Social Studies

History, social science and geography for kids.

Young Quills, best historical fiction for kids, chapter books,

18 Award-Winning Historical Fiction Children’s Books

Posted on by Pragmatic Mom

One of my favorite blogs, The Fourth Musketeer, just covers KidLit Historical Fiction. I pretty much file every book review of hers into an email folder labeled “Books I Want to Read.” She posted on the Historical Association Awards Young Quills from Great Britain here. I have listed the winners as well as the short lists for this year and last year. Historical fiction is a great way to get kids excited about history! If you want to find more great books, be sure to subscribe to The Fourth Musketeer’s blog. She’s a librarian and the go to person on that!

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Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan pragmatic mom

The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan: Book Club for Kids

Posted on by Pragmatic Mom

My 5th grade daughter’s book club got invited to the 5th grade boys’ book club because they had a special guest, William Maliul, an articulate and engaging Lost Boy of Sudan, who came to speak about his experiences in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States. Brothers in Hope was the book club selection and though it is a picture book, the content is suitable for a 4th or 5th grader.

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China for Kids: Cultural Revolution, Books for Kids and More

China for Kids with Children’s Books, Culture and Design

Posted on by Pragmatic Mom

To cover the Culture Revolution, I selected Little Leap Forward, a chapter book about living during this time in China. Zen Shorts still remains one of my all time favorite picture books because is manages to combine Chinese Philosopher Chuang Tsu’s parables in a way that is accessible to kids and yet leave adult readers pondering Big Ideas. Finally, for everyone who has a Joy Luck Club story from their homeland, I hope that you all have had a chance to read this book that broke the ground for a new Asian American literature genre twenty-five years ago.

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Tea Leaves teach me tuesday sri lanka children's books http://PragmaticMom.com, pragmatic mom

Sri Lanka with Kids Books, Recipe and Design

Posted on by Pragmatic Mom

The first book is a picture book that is a really wonderful way to visit another culture with your children. The second book is for young adults. As for the food, I was intimidated to make Sri Lankan food, but the owner’s son who manages the two cafes assured me that this was an easy and delicious recipe that he loved as a child. As for Sri Lanka interior design, it reminds of me of Ralph Lauren when he tries to create romantic images of British Colonial Style. It’s elegant cane furniture crossed with Polynesian style.

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