Jamestown's American Portraits: All for Texas: A Story of Texas Liberation - Softcover

McGraw-Hill; Wisler, G. C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809206293 ISBN 13: 9780809206292

Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2000

Synopsis

Bring history to life with compelling stories, sweeping scope, and a welcoming sense of diversity

• Historical fiction helps students connect to their middle school social studies classes
• Reading skill instruction and cross-curricular connections improve comprehension of historical fiction
• Strong multicultural flavor reflects the rich tapestry of our shared American heritages

Jamestown's American Portraits, a saga of American families and friends, traces the history of America from the founding of Jamestown to the Civil Rights Movement. This is a unique, enriching series designed to teach reading strategies appropriate for historical novels used in middle school reading, language arts, or social studies classes.

• Reading Level 5-8
• Interest Level 6-8

About this title

About the Author:

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-8-Thomas Jefferson Byrd, 13, tells about moving west with his family from Alabama to Texas in 1836. His father has been promised land if he will join the Texas settlers fighting against Mexico. When Jeff and his friend Josh take food to the undersupplied army at Goliad, they choose to stay. Josh is killed in battle, and Jeff's father is among those killed by Mexican soldiers. The plot moves so fast that it desensitizes readers to these horrific events; Jeff seems to recover from these incidences too quickly. Dialogue is sometimes awkward and character development slim. Yet some complex aspects are treated quite well. Wisler goes a long way to illuminate the efforts of the Texans, showing how truly disorganized they were, which made for greater bravery in the face of the odds. He shows Jeff's growing understanding of the plight of the Tejanos, Mexicans living in Texas, whose lives are disrupted by these settlers insisting on independence. Wisler also captures the bloodthirsty desire for revenge that led soldiers to kill Mexicans who gave themselves up at the battle of San Jacinto, where the Mexican army was finally defeated. In a final note, he gives more information about his sources and provides additional historical facts. A fast-moving read, of interest to those who enjoy adventure stories or Texas history.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0809206293
• ISBN 13: 9780809206292
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144