Spanish-American War, WWI, Panama Canal Booklist
All of these could be used for shared reading, read aloud, or independent reading- but, I have
categorized them where I think they probably most useful
Suggested Read Alouds OR
Great to suggest to students for Independent Reading
Papa Tells Chita a Story 32 pages- historical fiction picture book
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard ; illustrated by Floyd Cooper
 A young African American girl shares a special time with her father as he tells her about
when he was a soldier in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Buckshot 36 pages- historical fiction picture book
Dave and Pat Sargent ; illustrated by Jane Lenoir.
 A chestnut horse, chosen by Theodore Roosevelt to accompany the Rough Riders to war in
Cuba, is left behind when new orders come through.
The Story of the Rough Riders 31 pages- nonfiction
Zachary Kent
 Describes how Teddy Roosevelt formed the Rough Riders at the beginning of the SpanishAmerican War and led them into battle at San Juan Hill.
Shots at sea : a Houdini & Nate mystery 203 pages- mystery/historical fiction
Tom Lalicki ; pictures by Carlyn Cerniglia.
 While traveling to England with his mother and great-aunt on the ocean liner "Lusitania" in
1911, thirteen-year-old Nate, delighted to find that the Houdinis are also on board, finds
himself involved in another dangerous adventure as he and Houdini try to find the man
responsible for attempting to assassinate another passenger--President Theodore Roosevelt.
Where the Flame Trees Bloom 80 pages- personal narrative/memoir short stories
Alma Flor Ada
 Noted author Alma Flor Ada offers young readers eleven short stories from her own
childhood in Cuba - true stories about relatives and friends and the hacienda where she
grew up for much of her elementary years.
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale 32 pages- folktale pic. book
retold by Carmen Agra Deedy ; illustrated by Michael Austin
 humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale in which a cockroach interviews her suitors in order
to decide whom to marry.
Children of Flight Pedro Pan 76 pages- Realistic Fiction
Maria Armengol Acierno.
 In Miami in 1961, having just arrived from Cuba without their parents, ten-year-old Maria
and her younger brother face an uncertain future.
Building the Panama Canal 32 pages- nonfiction
Sabrina Crewe and Dale Anderson.
 Discusses early attempts to build a canal across Panama, describes the trials workers faced
in the process of constructing the Panama Canal, including widespread yellow fever and
malaria, and explains how the canal is used.
The last princess : the Story of Princess Ka’iulani of Hawai’i 40 pages- narrative biography
Fay Stanley ; illustrated by Diane Stanley
 Recounts the story of Hawaii's last heir to the throne, who was denied her right to rule
when the monarchy was abolished.
Archie's war my scrapbook of the first World War, 1914-1918 45 pages- historical fiction
Marcia Williams ; illustrated by Marcia Williams

When Archie is given a scrapbook for his tenth birthday in 1914, he chronicles the next four
years of his life using documents, artifacts, and comic strips.
Where Poppies Grow : a World War I Companion 48 pages- nonfiction
Linda Granfield
 Presents anecdotes, along with photographs, postcards, and other memorabilia, that provide
information about various aspects of World War I, focusing on the participation of Canada
in the war.
The Language of Doves 32 pages- historical fiction picture book
Rosemary Wells
 On her sixth birthday, Julietta's grandfather gives her one of his beautiful homing pigeons
and tells her a story of his experience raising and training doves in Italy during the Great
War.
Casey Over There 32 pages- fiction (persuasive letter writing)
written by Staton Rabin ; illustrated by Greg Shed.
 After his older brother Casey goes off to fight in World War I, Aubrey and his family are
so worried that Aubrey writes a letter to Uncle Sam asking him to send Casey home.
Goodbye, Billy Radish 138 pages- fiction
by Gloria Skurzynski.
 In 1917, as the United States enters World War I, ten-year-old Hank sees change all around
him in his western Pennsylvania steel mill town and feels his older Ukrainian friend Billy
drifting apart from him.
Hattie Big Sky 289 pages- historical fiction
Kirby Larson
 Sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks inherits her uncle's homesteading claim in Montana in 1917
and encounters some unexpected problems related to the war in Europe.
Great for Text Lifting for Shared Reading
Be sure to make the books available to students who want to learn
more during independent reading
The Spanish-American War 48 pages- informational nonfiction
by Kerry A. Graves.
 Examines the events leading up the Spanish-American War, the life of the soldiers, major
battles, and the outcome of the war. Organized by topic with lots of great text aides and
features.
Remember the Maine: the Spanish-American War begins 112 pages- informational nonfiction
Tim McNeese
 Discusses the explosion of the "U.S.S. Maine" in Havana harbor in February 1898, an
event that provoked the United States to declare was on Spain. Includes eyewitness
accounts, letters from the Maine’s crew, and newspaper articles of the day. Use to show
students how to attack a difficult text and make meaning out of it.
The Panama Canal 48 pages- informational nonfiction
by Elizabeth Mann ; with illustrations by Fernando Rangel.
 Relates the history of how the Panama Canal was planned and built, including the political,
international, and health aspects of getting the project finished on time.
Armistice 1918 64 pages- informational nonfiction
Reg Grant
 Discusses the end of World War I and the signing of the armistice and of the Treaty of
Versailles. Discusses the harsh terms of these documents and the overall impact of the war
on the world.