We Were There, Too!: Young People in U.S. History
Quick--name five noteworthy children in U.S. history. If you're like  most, you probably stalled after Sacagawea and Pocahontas. Young people have  always gotten short shrift when it comes to the record of American history. And  yet, wouldn't the study of history be far more compelling to students if they  could relate to figures their own age? Author Phillip Hoose believes so. He  found that behind every major event in U.S. history were young people--brave,  fearful, poor, rich, adventurous, clever, tragic, curious, and strong.We  Were There, Too!examines the lives of dozens of youth who helped shape our  nation: Nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a  Montgomery, Alabama, bus, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin did the very same thing.  On one of Columbus's voyages to the New World, 56 (out of 99) crew members were  18 or younger. In 1814 two sisters from Massachusetts, Rebecca Bates, 19, and  Abigail, 15, routed approaching British soldiers by playing "Yankee Doodle" on  fife and drum. The British, believing an American army was congregating for an  attack, turned and fled. And in contemporary times, 13-year-old Ryan White,  infected with AIDS, stood up to a school district that wanted to prevent him  from going to school, eating in the cafeteria, and having a normal life with his  friends.Every story in this beautifully written volume is a heartening example of the  spirit of young people. Each essay is accompanied by photos or illustrations, as  well as sidebars with fascinating related tidbits of information. Readers of all  ages will find a multitude of new heroes to respect and emulate. This is one  history book that should be on every shelf. (Ages 10 and older)--Emilie  Coulter