Entering Grade 5

History

Click on the Amazon link button to view the title at Amazon*
Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee
Usually, archaeology is a methodical, careful study of an area to discover, catalog and analyze evidence of the past. But sometimes, regular people find amazing things. A cowboy discovers an ancient skeleton. A team looking for a buried king finds him under a parking lot. A boy looking for a lost goat finds a religious treasure. All these and more are described in this fascinating book. (nonfiction)
All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem With Stuff by Meghan McCarthy
When the landfills of New York City were nearly full, one man had an idea to turn that garbage into fuel.  The problem was no one wanted the smelly barge in their harbor and the barge floated up and down the coast for 45 days. This humorous news story actually started a movement towards new strategies for dealing with human garbage. (nonfiction)
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight For Americans With Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimental
Even though Jennifer was in a wheelchair, she wanted to do lots of things, but the way buildings were designed got in her way. When a group of adults were planning a demonstration to promote the passage of the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, she vowed to participate. (nonfiction)
Fakers: An Insiders Guide to Cons, Hoaxes, and Scams by H.P. Wood
Learn about the funniest, weirdest, and most influential cons and scams in human history. Profiles of con artists will get you thinking about motivation and consequences, and practical tips will help you spot hoaxes yourself. (nonfiction)
For Which We Stand by Jeff Foster
Illustrations and infographics combine wih clear text to explain how the government of the United States works. ​Discusses the branches of the federal government, political parties, the electoral process, and the different responsibilities of city, state, and federal governments. Brief explanations of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation and a thorough description of the Constitution. (nonfiction)
The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff
In the 1850's, the Thames River running through London stank because of all the human poop and other garbage that flowed into it. Cholera and other diseases were rampant. One man decided to solve the problem by designing and building a sewer system to solve the problem. (nonfiction)
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories by Elise Gravel
How can you figure out how to judge the information that comes up in different media? How can you tell what is true, and what is out to trick you? The funny cartoon characters in the book learn the answers to these questions through some funny scenarios. (graphic novel)
Older Than Dirt: A Wild But True History of Earth by Don Brown and Michael Perfit
The geological history of Earth, told in comic book form, from the Big Bang to forces like volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis that continue to shape the world today. (nonfiction in graphic novel format)
Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic by Flora Delargy
On the night that the Titanic hit an iceberg, the small ship the Carpathia braved the dangerous iceberg filled waters to rescue the survivors. (nonfiction)
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford
Arturo Schomburg loved knowledge and history and began to collect every document he could get his hands on about Africa and African-Americans. When his collection threatened to overflow his home, he had to find somewhere to keep it safe. (nonfiction)
Torpedoed: the True Story of the World War II sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heligman
When German bombs rained down on Britain early in World War II, the British government devised many schemes to send children to safety. Along with other passengers, the SS City of Benares was taking 90 children to Canada when a German submarine torpedoed it. This is the true story of what happened and how ordinary people became heroes. (nonfiction)
Tragic Tale of the Great Auk by Jan Thornhill
This amazing bird, as tall as a human toddler, was perfectly adapted for swimming and fishing but was incapable of flying or running away from Viking, Inuit and European hunters. The extinction of this magnificent bird in the 1840’s led to the birth of the conservation movement. (nonfiction)
*The Amazon Links on this page will redirect you to Amazon.com where you have the option of purchasing the title.
We are members of the Amazon Affiliates program and any purchases made through these links
generate a small commission that benefits The Wheeler Library. 
Thank you for your support!