Kingsley Plantation

Anna knew that her life would change forever when she saw the tall ship anchored off shore, but she never dreamed that it would take her a world away.

Anna Madgigine Jai was kidnapped and sent to Cuba where she was placed into the slave trade.  Mr. Zephaniah Kingsley stepped off his boat in Havana, looking to increase his holdings.  In the early 1800s, before the Civil War, a southern man's wealth was measured in terms of how many slaves he owned.  Anna became one of Kingsley's slaves.  On the voyage back to the United States, 41-year-old Zephaniah Kingsley "married" 13-year-old Anna.  By the time she arrived in America, she was carrying his first child.  In 1811, living in Spanish-controlled Northeast Florida, Zephaniah signed documents that allowed his wife the social standing of a freed slave.  In time, she would come to own her own land and her own slaves and provide Zephaniah with two more children.

Kingsley Plantation, located on Fort George Island in Jacksonville, Florida, changed hands a few times before the Kingsley's moved there in 1814.  It does not resemble a typical southern plantation.  It was built according to the cracker vernacular style and was not built to impress.  Since pirate ships would travel the St. John's River in front of the plantation, the owners did not want to display their wealth for fear of raids.  The original house had four corner rooms that were only accessible by the front and back porches.  The Rollins family purchased the plantation in 1869 after it had been abandoned.  They made numerous improvements such as access to these four corner rooms through the inside of the home.  They also added an additional room to each side, between the corner rooms, so that the house would have more functional space.  A stairwell was added to the center of the house so that the upstairs could be accessed from within.

Back of main house

Close up of barn

Cash crops such as indigo, Sea Island cotton, sugar cane, and citrus were grown here as it functioned as a plantation.  Indigo and sugar cane were the deadliest crops to the slaves.  Stale human urine was used in the manufacturing of the indigo dye.  This created a very alkaline mixture which the slaves had to stomp around in to add oxygen.  The life expectancy of a slave responsible for indigo production was just five years.

Barn

The slaves lived in small dwellings on the opposite side of the plantation, between the main house and the fields they tended.  These 32 homes were made from a material called tabby, which contains oyster shells, sand, and water.  Other structures on the site were constructed from tabby as it could be used to make long, wide bricks; mortar; and a substance like plaster.

Kitchen with Whistle Walk

The kitchen was not attached to the house.  Since a fire was likely burning 24 hours a day in the kitchen, they did not want to run the risk of setting the whole house on fire.  The original kitchen building had just one small room, but Anna Kingsley had a room built on top of the kitchen where she could reside.  This was one of the customs of the tribe she was born into in Africa.  The women oversaw the slaves and servants and stayed separate from the men.  The semicircle of the slave quarters was another tradition Anna brought with her.  It is interesting that Anna came from a culture where slaves were used, yet she herself became a slave.  Not only that, after she became a freed slave, she owned slaves again.

We visited the site on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, birthday.  With that frame of reference, we were able to be thankful for the changes that have occurred in our country since the 1700s and for the outcome of the Civil War.  We were able to be thankful for people like Dr. King who fought for equal rights of all citizens.  I am grateful that slavery in that form no longer exists in our society, thankful that it is not okay to steal people away from their homes and make them work under the threat of punishment, to strip away all of their rights and dignity.  I know slavery still exists in different forms today, but that is a conversation for another day.

Kingsley Plantation is maintained by the National Park Service.  The main house is normally closed during the week with tours given on the weekends at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with reservations.  We were honored to have a guided tour by a NPS employee who has studied Kingsley Plantation intensely.  He took us through the house and shared some very interesting stories and details.  The grounds and the tour are free.  An audio tour is also available.

There is a great deal more information to learn about the plantation.

Read more about the Kingsley plantation and family here.

An ethnohistorical study of the plantation is located here.

50 States: New York

NEW YORK

First settled by the Dutch in 1624, New York achieved statehood on July 26, 1788.  The colony of New Amsterdam was renamed New York by the British in 1664 in honor of the Duke of York.  One of the 13 original colonies, NY (postal abbreviation) became the nation's 11th state.  It is the 27th largest state and has a population of more than 19.5 million people, nearly half of the population living in New York City alone.  NYC is the biggest city in the state and was once the capital city of the U.S., but the capital of New York is Albany, named after the Duke of Albany.

Folks who live here are called New Yorkers.  Biography.com lists almost 900 famous/infamous people being born here. If the list didn't include crime bosses and criminals, there might only be 700 or so.  Since there are so many, I have only listed some of the more noteworthy such as Presidents Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  There have been sports stars, actors/actresses, fashion designers, singers, authors, models, activists, musicians, playwrights, and poets.  Edwin Armstrong invented circuits for the FM radio.  John Jacob Astor IV built the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and died in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Three of the Baldwin brothers—Alec, Billy, and Stephen—are all actors. Lucille Ball was a very funny woman famous for her "I Love Lucy" show.  Joseph Barbera, the other half of Hanna-Barbera, co-created the Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo.  Frank Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz.  Clarence Birdseye invented the process of flash freezing.  Think about all of the foods in the freezer section of the grocery store that are flash frozen to retain their freshness.  Amelia Bloomer was a women's rights activitist; "Bloomers" are named after her.  Famous actors like Humphrey Bogart; James Cagney; and Robert Downey, Jr., who plays Iron Man were born here.  Cab Calloway, Al Capone, Dick Clark, composer Aaron Copland,  and George Eastman who invented the Kodak camera once called New York home.  Barbara Bush is the wife of President George H.W. Bush.  Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to ride Niagara Falls in a barrel. Melvil Dewey created the Dewey Decimal System used in libraries.  Henry M. Flagler took his money to Florida and built hospitals, colleges, etc.  Chef Bobby Flay, baseball great Lou Gehrig, and brothers George and Ira Gershwin came from New York. Alex Haley wrote Roots which was made into a miniseries for television.  Marvin Hamlisch and Oscar Hammerstein II are famous for their music.  Edward Hopper and Norman Rockwell were famous artists. Washington Irving, J.D. Salinger, Herman Melville, Walt Whitman, Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are)and E.B. White were famous authors.  Emma Lazarus wrote the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.  Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine to eradicate polio.  Isaac Singer invented the sewing machine.  Louis Tiffany created beautiful glass lamps.  Julia Ward Howe wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  Other famous New-York-born people are John Jay, Michael Jordan, The Marx Brothers, Billy the Kid,  John D. Rockefeller,  Sojourner Truth, George Westinghouse, and Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook).

As the list of famous people born in New York seems endless, so does the list of places to visit.  New York City has the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island (12 million immigrants in 62 years), Empire State Building, Broadway, Guggenheim Museum, New York Stock Exchange, United Nations, World Trade Center site, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  There are the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Niagara Falls, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Thousand Islands, amusement parks, zoos, national parks, ski resorts, and festivals year round.

New York City has been a popular place for movie producers.  Some movies filmed here include King Kong, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Gangs of New York, Miracle on 34th Street, West Side Story, Wall Street, Saturday Night Fever, Superman, The Bourne Ultimatum, Spider-Man, Wall-E, The French Connection, Kate and Leopold, Planet of the Apes, The Day After Tomorrow, The Avengers, and Ghostbusters.

It is easy to see some of the things that make up New York's economy—finance, tourism, communications, publishing, and fashion—but international trade and fruit and dairy farming also contribute greatly. 

New York's nickname is The Empire State, and the motto is "Excelsior" which means ever upwards.  The state bird is the eastern bluebird, and the mammal is the beaver.  The nine-spotted ladybug is the state insect, and the brook trout is the state fish.  The bay scallop is the shell.  The state flower is the rose, and the sugar maple is the state tree.  The apple, introduced by European settlers in the 1600s, is the state fruit.

The flag was adopted in 1901.  The goddesses Liberty and Justice stand on opposite sides of a shield which shows the sun rising over the Hudson highlands and on top of a ribbon with the state motto, Excelsior, written on it.  At the base of Liberty's feet is a crown which represents freedom from Britain.  An eagle sits atop a globe.

Play some learning games to test your knowledge of New York.

The following items relate to New York and can be found at christianbook.com.  I am an affiliate, so if you purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission.

New York By Jonathan Brown & Catherine Gardner(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing Bolster students' knowledge of the state they live in! Discover the history of the state, including Native American history, colonial history, and modern history, and learn about the current demographics of the state, the land itself, the economy, state government, and cultural attractions. "Fun Facts," "Famous people," and "In history" sidebars provide interesting tidbits of information. Full-color photographs, time line, glossary, and index included. 32 pages, softcover. Grades 2-4.

New York By Gareth Stevens Publishing

Celebrating New York: 50 States to Celebrate By Marion Dane Bauer & C.B. Canga(Illustrator) / Sandpiper Join Mr. Geo and discover all kinds of fun facts about New York! Filled with facts and illustrations, this beginning reader is perfect for your child who's reading independently with longer text, richer vocabulary, and engaging content. Includes a glossary, fast facts about New York, important dates in New York history, and activities that are all about New York!

Primary Source History of the Colony of New York - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Paul Kupperberg & Jay Snyder / Brilliance Audio Through primary source documents, listeners will learn all about the colony of New York. From the discovery of the island of Manhattan and the founding of a tiny Dutch trading village to New York's emergence as one of the world's most influential cities, this audiobook is sure to please any history buff! Unabridged audio CD; approximately 1 hour; 1 CD.

Peter Stuyvesant: New Amsterdam and the Origins of New York - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Brilliance Audio Learn about the last director-general of New Amsterdam, Peter Stuyvesant. He ruled with an "iron fist" but he loved New Amsterdam and its people, staying on after the colony fell to the English. To this day, street, neighborhood, and borough names (Broadway, Harlem, the Bronx, and Brooklyn), and the popularity of some foods (pretzels), reflect the early Dutch influence in New York. Unabridged audio CD; approximately 1 hour; 2 CDs.

Scenes of Olde New York Coloring BookGreen Edition By Peter F. Copeland / Dover Publications

The New York Yankees: Legendary Sports Teams - eBook By Matt Christopher & Glenn Stout / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

A History of New York - eBook By Washington Irving / Penguin Classics

A History of New York By Washington Irving / Penguin Putnam Inc.

New York, The Empire State By Margery Facklam / Charlesbridge Publishing Get to know all about New York with this region-by-region tour of "The Empire State." Vibrant watercolors bring the countryside and the city to life, as the text extols the features, people, landscape, museums, and unique aspects of New York. Sidebar notes allow for additional illustrations and more information on what makes New York so special. From the Five Nations across the state to the pirate legends of Fire Island to the dairy industry today, you'll learn fascinating facts about the whole state of New York! 43 pages with resource and symbols page. Softcover.

New York's Bravest By Mary Pope Osborne / Random House, Inc

The Empire State Building: When New York Reached for the Skies By Elizabeth Mann / Firefly Books LTD It was 1929 and the race was on to put up the tallest building in the world. Less than two years later, the race was over, and the age of skyscrapers had its exclamation point. This book tells the story of an American icon. From demolition to finishing touches, author Elizabeth Mann tracks the wonders of its architecture, engineering, and construction. From millionaires to laborers, she captures the human stories behind the technical wizardry. From the rise of a great city to the depths of the Great Depression, she traces the historical forces behind the creation of the world's most famous skyscraper. This book is a fascinating look at this enduring symbol of New York.

People Of New York By Mark Stewart / Heinemann Raintree This look at the people of New York explores the vast and diverse heritage of the state. Noting its many immigrants that came in through Ellis Island, the Native Americans who first--and still--live there, the Dutch & English settlers, and the African-Americans who had a major influence in places like Harlem, this book is filled with information on New Yorkers. Photographs, charts, and historic illustrations make this a unique exploration of NY from early days until the present. A list of famous New Yorkers is also included. 48 pages with index, glossary and state map.

State Shapes: New York By Workman Publishing These colorful, fact-filled books are irresistible! Die-cut in the shape of the state, each one takes readers on a fascinating journey to visit intriguing places, meet famous and historic figures, learn about animals and wildlife, and experience the culture that makes each state unique. Packed with fun facts, exciting history and fascinating folklore, State Shapes are illustrated with a warmth, humor, and flare that will appeal to kids and parents alike. Hardcover, 45 pages.

New York DVD By Worldwide Media

If You Lived 100 Years Ago By Scholastic Trade If you lived 100 years ago, life was changing, and fast. Find out what life was like in New York City in the 1890s. With the rich very rich and the poor very poor, learn about tenement buildings, NYC mansions that took up a block, new inventions, getting water for your bath from a fire hydrant (the rich had bathrooms), the importance of clotheslines, how iceboxes worked, new inventions (typewriters & postcards), fashions & hairstyles, what people did for fun, and more, all through short, engaging "chapters" and fun illustrations. 80 pages, softcover.

Sojourner Truth: American Abolitionist By W. Whalin / Barbour Publishing

John Jay: Founding Father By Walter Stahr / Continuum International

The Waldorf-Astoria Cookbook By John Doherty,John Harrisson / Hachette Book Group

Edward Hopper's New York By Avis Berman / Pomegranate Communications

50 States: New Mexico

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico is alive with culture—Native Indian, Hispanic, and American.  All are represented well throughout this 47th state.  The territory of New Mexico originally included all of New Mexico and Arizona plus parts of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The state border of New Mexico, the way it is today, was created by congress in 1863, and it officially became a state on January 6, 1912. The postal abbreviation for New Mexico is NM. It is the 5th biggest state and has a population of more than 2 million people. There are roughly 17 people per square mile, making it one of the least densely populated states.

The capital is Santa Fe. It is the highest capital in the U.S., sitting 7000 ft above sea level.  The motto for New Mexico is "Crescit eundo" which stands for "It grows as it goes."  The nickname is the "land of enrichment" because of its beauty and rich heritage.

Those who live in New Mexico are called New Mexicans.  There are only 11 famous people born in New Mexico, according to biography.com.  These include founder of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos; country singer, John Denver; co-creator of Tom & Jerry and The Flintstones, William Hanna; actor Neil Patrick Harris, who is famous for his role as Doogie Howser, M.D.; founder of the Hilton hotel chain, Conrad Hilton; and actresses Demi Lovato and Demi Moore.

Smokey the Bear was born in New Mexico as well.  A cub was found trapped in a tree during a forest fire in Lincoln National Forest in 1950.  This bear was to become the iconic Smokey the Bear.

New Mexico was home to many Native Indian tribes before it became a state and is still home to 22 tribes.  The Navajo tribe has a reservation that covers 14 million acres.  Various Native American Indian sites that can be visited are:

Aztec Ruins National Monument - Aztec, NM

Bandelier National Monument - Los Alamos

Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Nageezi, NM

El Morro National Monument - Ramah

Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument - Silver City

Petroglyph National Monument - Albuquerque

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - Alamogordo

Village of the Great Kivas - Zuni Pueblo

Some other things to do in New Mexico include:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

-Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque

-Blue Hole, a popular dive destination for SCUBA, in Santa Rosa

-Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe

-El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living history museum in Santa Fe 

-Unser Racing Museum - Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

-San Miguel Mission, a church built between 1610 and 1626 in Santa Fe

-White Sands National Monument is made of white gypsum crystals and is located in Alamogordo.

There are over 300 ghost towns in New Mexico.  There are also zoos, history museums, science museums, amusement parks, national parks, and theaters.

In October, there is a hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque and the Whole Enchilada Festival in Las Cruces.

With all of these things to do and the rich heritage, it is no wonder that tourism contributes greatly to New Mexico's economy.  Other contributors are mining of potash, silver, copper, and uranium and oil and natural gas production.

The state symbols for New Mexico are as follows:

Bird - roadrunner

Mammal - black bear

Fish - New Mexico cutthroat trout

Insect - tarantula hawk wasp

Dinosaur - Coelophysis

Flower - yucca

Tree - pinon

Vegetables - chile and frijoles

Colors - red and yellow

Cookie - bizcochito

Along with the state dinosaur, some other fossils found here are Parasaurolophus, Seismmosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus

The NM flag is yellow with a red symbol called a "Zia" in the center of it.  The Zia is an ancient symbol for the sun which was found on a water jar from Zia Pueblo.  Four posts project outward from the four sides of the Zia, which represent the four seasons, the four directions, the four stages of life, etc.

Several other interesting facts about New Mexico are that it is officially a bilingual state where both English and Spanish are spoken.  Three-quarters of the roads in this state are unpaved so that they don't wash away.  The novel, Ben-Hur, was written by territorial governor, Lew Wallace.  It was published in 1880 and made into a movie in 1959.

Now, play some games and learn more about New Mexico.

If you are looking for books to research New Mexico further, the following items can be found at christianbook.com.  If you purchase any items through my blog, I will receive a commission as I am an affiliate.

Outlaw Tales of New Mexico By Globe Pequot No picture or description was available.

Uniquely New Mexico By Coleen Hubbard / Heinemann Raintree No picture or description was available.

The Pueblo Revolt: The Secret Rebellion That Drove the Spaniards Out of the Southwest - eBook By David Roberts / Simon & Schuster With the conquest of New Mexico in 1598, Spanish governors, soldiers, and missionaries began their brutal subjugation of the Pueblo Indians in what is today the Southwestern United States. This oppression continued for decades, until, in the summer of 1680, led by a visionary shaman named Pope, the Puebloans revolted. Every Spaniard was driven from the Pueblo homeland, the only time in North American history that conquering Europeans were thoroughly expelled from Indian territory. Yet today, more than three centuries later, crucial questions about the Pueblo Revolt remain unanswered. How did Pope succeed in his brilliant plot? And what happened in the Pueblo world between 1680 and 1692 when a new Spanish force again conquered the Pueblo peoples with relative ease? This well-researched book looks at history from every angle to solve the mysteries still surrounding the Pueblo revolt. 279 pages, hardcover with dust jacket.

National Geographic Investigates Ancient Pueblo: Archaeology Unlocks the Secrets of America's Past By National Geographic Society / National Geographic Children's Books At prehistoric sites in the "Four Corners" states (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) of the American Southwest, archaeologists have searched for years, looking for clues to the history of the Pueblo people. Learn what we know about these cliff dwellers. Study the thousands of rock carvings-petroglyphs-they left behind. Discover how modern scientists use ancient artifacts to learn about the lives of these early Americans.64 pages hardcover, ages 9-12.

New Mexico By Pat Lantier & Catherine Gardner(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing Bolster students' knowledge of the state they live in! Discover the history of the state, including Native American history, colonial history, and modern history, and learn about the current demographics of the state, the land itself, the economy, state government, and cultural attractions. "Fun Facts," "Famous people" and "In history" sidebars provide interesting tidbits of information. Full-color photographs, time line, glossary, and index included. 32 pages, softcover. Grades 2-4.

New Mexico By Michael Burgan, Jackie Ball(Editor) & Kristen Behrens(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing

More than Petticoats: Remarkable New Mexico Women By Globe Pequot More than Petticoats: Remarkable New Mexico Women presents twelve profiles of women whose artistry, intelligence, and courage broke down barriers in the Land of Enchantment and throughout the world. Among the women included are the Harvey Girls, railroad waitresses and bearers of culture and refinement in the untamed frontier; Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto, pioneers of education; Nampeyo, master potter and preserver of Hopi culture.These women braved battles, saved nations, scaled mountains, and created masterpieces. Read about their exceptional lives in this collection of absorbing biographies. (6 x 9, 144 pages, b&w photos)

Hiking Carlsbad Caverns & Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, 2nd By Globe Pequot Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico is renowned for its amazing system of limestone caves. Both Carlsbad and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park, just across the state line in Texas, are also blessed with spectacular above-ground trails. This thoroughly revised edition is the authoritative and the only comprehensive guide to all of the hiking trails in both parks.

Georgia O'Keeffe By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Correlated to state and national standards, this series teaches students about important people, places, and events in history. Broken down into short, easy to read passages reinforced by simple activities, each reader includes a glossary, interesting facts, reading, puzzles, highlights of achievements, sequencing of important events, and simple math activities. 12 pages each. Grades K-4.

Nobody's Horses: The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sands - eBook By Don Hoglund / Atria Books

50 States: New Jersey

NEW JERSEY

The Garden State is our nation's third state.  It was granted statehood on December 18, 1787.  The postal abbreviation is NJ, and the capital is Trenton.  This capital city was named after one of the wealthy landowners in the area, William Trent.  This is the place where George Washington crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, during the Revolutionary War.  Trenton also served as the nation's capital for a brief time.

New Jersey is the 47th largest state by area and has nearly 9 million people living within it.  Those who live in this state call themselves New Jerseyites or New Jerseyans.  Some famous people born here include the team of Abbott and Costello, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Virginia Apgar who is responsible for the Apgar Scoring System for newborns, jazz musician Count Basie, country singer Clint Black, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, President Grover Cleveland, author James Fenimore Cooper, illusionist David Copperfield, boxer Marvin Hagler, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, photographer Dorothea Lange, Norman Mailer, Shaquille O'Neal, Queen Latifah, patriot Molly Pitcher, engineer Washington Roebling, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Frank Sinatra, and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.  There have been more than 150 famous people born in New Jersey, including many actors, singers, sports stars, activists, and politicians.

Visitors to New Jersey can visit the birthplace of Grover Cleveland in Caldwell for free.  Other points of interest include Ellis Island which can be reached by ferry at Liberty State Park in Jersey City; Liberty Science Center also in Jersey City; amusement parks like Six Flags, Land of Make Believe, Clementon, and Storybook Land; the USS New Jersey in Camden; famous beaches like Ocean City and Cape May; Field Station: Dinosaurs in Secaucus; Atlantic City; and Thomas Edison National Historic Park in West Orange.

New Jersey's economy is sustained agriculturally by the growing of roses, orchids, and poinsettias, the raising of horses and mules, and the production of dairy products; the manufacturing sector produces pharmaceuticals and health & beauty items like shampoo and perfume; the fishing industry brings in large catches of clams.  Tourism is also a major contributor to the economy with locales such as Atlantic City, Cape May, Asbury Park, etc.

New Jersey's state symbols are:

Bird...Eastern goldfinch

Mammal...Horse

Insect...Honeybee

Shell...Knobbed whelk

Fish...Brook trout

Flower...Purple violet (is this redundant?)

Tree...Northern red oak

Fruit...Blueberry

Dance...Folk dance

There have been a number of dinosaur fossils found in New Jersey including Hadrosaurus foulkii, which is the state dinosaur.

The state motto is "Liberty and Prosperity" and is displayed on the state flag, which was adopted on March 26, 1896.

The flag displays the goddess of liberty and the goddess of agriculture.

New Jersey has the highest population density of any state.  More than 90% of its people live in the city.  There are more diners in New Jersey than anywhere else in the world.  Edison's Menlo Park is located in New Jersey.  The Miss America Pageant is held in Atlantic City every year, and this city's road are the inspiration for the game Monopoly.  The first drive-in theater was in Camden.

Play some online games and learn more about New Jersey here.

The following items are available at Christianbook.com.  If you purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission, as I am an affiliate.

New Jersey Pocket Guide, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International The perfect reference guide. This handy, 4" x 6", easy-to-use guide is divided into seven color-coded sections which include basics, history, geography, people, places, nature, and more! Riddles, recipes, and surprising facts make this guide a delight! Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

Hidden New Jersey By Linda J. Barth / Charlesbridge Publishing Discover the hidden facts about New Jersey. Each two-page spread presents interesting information, from famous inventors to locations to history. But along the bottom is a list of images to find---turn the pages every which way in order to find what you're looking for! Softcover.

A Primary Source History of the Colony of New Jersey - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Tamra Orr & Jay Snyder / Brilliance Audio Learn all about the colony of New Jersey, an important player in the American Revolution and the third state admitted into the Union, through primary source documents. Throughout its history it was a densely forested rural territory, celebrated for its abundant natural resources and rich farm land. Characterized by religious tolerance and a "live and let live" attitude, New Jersey became a haven for people who desired to only work hard and build a peaceful and prosperous life for themselves and their families. Unabridged audio CD; approximately 1 hour 10 minutes; 1 CD.

New Jersey My First Book, Grades K-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International An "early bird" intro to basic state facts. Covers state basics such as state nickname, seal, song, bird, motto, flag, regions, industries, neighbors, and weather, plus an intro to state history, people, and more. Includes drawing, mazes, matching, coloring, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states. Grades K-5; ages 5-10.

Let's Discover New Jersey CD-ROM, Grades 2-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Interactive CD-ROM with lots of fun facts for kids to learn about their state. Includes government, state symbols, a timeline, geography, civics, nickname, landmarks, parks, schools, historical places, and more. Each of four sections is completed with a quizzing game and rewards. Also includes a FREE printed reproducible quiz. Grades 2-8

13 Colonies: New Jersey By Roberta Wiener & James Arnold / Heinemann Raintree When was Princeton University founded? For whom was the Delaware River and Bay named? What was name of the original Dutch town at the site of Jersey City? Find the answers to these and many other questions in New Jersey, a book about one of the original thirteen colonies. It details the history of the colony beginning with the decisions made in Europe to explore and settle the Americas followed by a description of the land and its inhabitants as they appeared to the first European arrivals. The story continues through the growth of the colony and the events leading to the American Revolution and concludes with a brief description of the modern-day state. Each book in these series includes maps, contemporary art and primary resources, timeline, glossary, index, and sources for further research. Softcover, 64 pages. Ages 9-12.

Drive Thru History: New York, New Jersey, and Washington's Warriors By Tyndale House In a fast style all his own, Dave Stotts explores the rich history of New York and New Jersey. We learn about New York's "Freedom Trail," the place of George Washington's inauguration, and much more! This jam-packed series also includes stories on Saratoga, West Point, and the Revolutionary War battles of Trenton and Princeton. As always, Dave includes the Christian influences that have shaped history.

Independence Now: The American Revolution 1763-1783 By Daniel Rosen / Simon & Schuster By 1763, the people of England's American colonies were shaping their own lives apart from their royal rulers. Ties between the British and the colonists were becoming weak, and a new sense of being "American" was developing. Independence Now takes the reader from the colonial period when young men like George Washington were becoming leaders and the British oppression was growing, to the days of the fiery Revolutionary War. Topics covered in this book include the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, and the issues surrounding these events. The book discusses the reasons for the war from the American and British perspectives, the involvement of African-Americans and women in the revolution, and our long, hard path to victory. The book also features a "Points of View" section that shows the debate over whether or not America should be independent through the words of Benjamin Franklin and his son, the royal governor of New Jersey, William Franklin. Comparisons are also made between the strengths and weaknesses of England and America at the time to help readers understand both sides of the fight. Independence Now ends with a "Legacy," telling a short bit of follow-up history to the events covered in the text. Like the other titles in the Crossroads America series, this book is illustrated with period paintings, drawings, and photographs. Also included are a glossary and an index.

One Giant Leap By Robert Burleigh / Philomel To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this extraordinary moment in human history, Robert Burleigh and Mike Wimmer have created a breathtakingly beautiful tribute that transports readers to the stars, where they will experience the moon landing just as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did.

A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts By Andrew Chaikin / Penguin Putnam Inc. On the night of July 20, 1969, our world changed forever when two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, walked on the moon. Now the greatest event of the twentieth century is magnificently retold through the eyes and ears of the people who were there. Based on the interviews with twenty-three moon voyagers, as well as those whose struggles got the program moving, journalist Andrew Chaikin conveys every aspect of the missions with breathtaking immediacy: from the liftoff to the heart-stopping lunary touchdown to the final hurdle of reentry.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret - eBook By Judy Blume / Delacorte Press

Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr By Nancy Isenberg / Penguin Putnam Inc.

Forgotten Conservative: The Life of Grover Cleveland By John Pafford / Regnery Publishing

16 Extraordinary Americans with Disabilities, 2nd Edition - PDF Download [Download] By Walch Education A new kind of reader, students will be engaged by short profiles on 16 amazing people, each of which includes background notes, vocabulary lists, answers, and a bibliography. While reading, students will also come to understand the profound impact each person has had on America's past and present. 16 Extraordinary Americans with Disabilities will introduce students to 16 key figures who have made a difference despite their disabilities. 148 reproducible pages, softcover. Grades 6-12, readability 4+. Revised edition. Mini-biographies feature: Laura Bridgman, Teacher John Wesley Powell, Explorer Washington Roebling, Engineer Walt Disney, Cartoonist Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States Ray Charles, Musician Katharine Hathaway, Writer Glenn Cunningham, Runner Roy Campanella, Baseball Catcher Cher, Singer and Actress Temple Grandin, Scientist and Inventor Whoopi Goldberg, Comedian and Actress Mark Wellman, Mountain Climber