Who am I?
I taught for more than 26 years in classes ranging from first grade through college. No matter the age of the students, I used children’s books to introduce topics in history. I never shied away from using a picture book with older students and often found they were more engaged in a picture book than in an article. I also used historical fiction as a hook to lure students into picking up a related non-fiction book. In fact, historical fiction was the gateway that taught this writer of 13 nonfiction children’s books to love non-fiction history.
Rebecca's book list on little-known US history for children
Discover why each book is one of Rebecca's favorite books.
Why did Rebecca love this book?
Allison Crotzer Kimmel’s touching book is a 2023 Pennsylvania Young Reader Choice Award Winner for Grades 3-6. This book is a favorite of mine not only because it covers a little-known bit of Civil War history, but because the author humanizes the difficult topic of war, using a beloved dog.
Sallie, a brindle bull terrier, marched with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as their mascot during the Civil War. The dog was so well-liked even President Lincoln tipped his hat to her when reviewing the troops. At the battle of Gettysburg, she guarded the wounded, nearly dying herself from hunger. After the war her men erected a statue to their loyal Sallie that still stands today.
1 author picked The Eternal Soldier as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
This is the untold story of Sallie, a dog whose life as a soldier began in a basket and ended as a Civil War hero.
The pup barked and nearly tumbled out of the basket. We laughed, and immediately we knew--she was one of us already.
Brindle fur with streaks of brown and black swirled all over her like a patchwork quilt. She was as pretty as an apple tree in full bloom. We called her Sallie.
During the Civil War, Sallie came to the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a gift from a townsperson, but she quickly became a…