Non-Fiction Novels
1. Ellis, Joseph J. The American Sphynx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Random
House. 1998. 440pp.
This book allows the reader inside the life of Thomas Jefferson. This non-fiction look into his life provides information about the President as a person, as well as one of the great leaders of our time. Most suitable for the upper elementary to middle school grades, this book can be used as a wonderful read-aloud, or as a reasearch source.
2. Roosevelt, Theodore and Fredrick Remington. Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail.
University of Nebraska Press. 1983. 210pp.
This book tells the of the adventures of Theodore Roosevelt himself. As a man who loved the outdoors as well as the working life, this presidenthad many experiences to relay.No American president has been closer to the working life of the West than Theodore Roosevelt. Whether recounting stories of cowboys or praising the joys of hunting, his book expresses his lifelong delight in self-reliance, physical hardihood, and tests of nerve. This book would be a great novel for students (late elementary to early middle school) to read on their own, or as a read aloud.
Picture Books
3. Cooney, Barbara. Eleanor.PuffinPublishers. 1999. 40pp.
Barbara Cooney is an award winning author and illustrator (Caldecott winner) who presents a well-researched and poignant storybook biography of Eleanor Roosevelt's childhood. Eleanor is one of the most beloved Americans for her empathy with the downtrodden, was famously unglamorous and plain in looks, even as a child. Her beautiful and awful mother humiliated the little girl, calling her Granny, "because she is so funny and old-fashioned looking." Orphaned at nine the girl eventually found her way to confidence, helped initially by a boarding-school headmistress. This story is a useful picture book for any age group, but for the older age groups, supplemental information of Eleanor's later achievments would be necessary.
4. Turner, Ann Warren. Abe Lincoln Remembers. Harpercollins Juvienile Books. 2000. 32pp.
This picture book focuses on the admirable life Abraham Lincoln led. Although many are well acquainted with the legendary story of young Abe's rough upbringing in Kentucky and his unquenchable thirst for learning, this historical fiction is told from first-person point of view, adding humanity to one of America's greatest heroes. The beautiful illustrations, by award-winning illustrator Wendell Minor captures the expressions and experiences of a man who, to this day is adored by so many. Appropriate as a learning tool for any age group.
5. Ansary, Tamim Mir. President's Day. Heinemann Libraries. 2001. 32pp.
An excellent sourceforintrocuingPresident's day, or the presidents themselves, this picture book reallybrings alive the history of president's day and american history for young students. This book was designed to be used with 3rd to 4th grades, but again, could be used at any level to discuss the historical significance of President's Day.
6. St. George, Judity and David Small. So, You Want to Be President?. Philomel Books.
2000. 52pp.
This Caldecott Honor-winning book, gives a refreshing view of the presidency. Rather than the typical historical view, that makes the point anyone can be president. It reminds kids that the American presidents have been a motley group of individuals, not a row of marble busts. Ironically, that message makes the presidency far more interesting (and appealing) than it seems in some of the more traditional books. There's a factual addendum at the back giving all the dates and names, with a one-line bio for each past-president. This book is suitable for all grade levels, but expecially useful in the late elementary to middle school.Informational Books
7. Davis, Todd and Marc Frey. The New Big Book of U.S. PresidentsRunning Press Book
Publishers. 2001. 56pp.
With beautiful bright glossy pictures, this book devotes two pages of information on each president. Each presid ent is shown in a full-page color picture, and a nearby fact box gives essential biographical information. In addition, each fact box gives cultural, social, or political information on each president. The book is divided into six chronological sections, with discussions and illustrated time lines of each period. A great classroom resource for upper elementary to early middle school classrooms, it even includes ten short essays on topics such as the White House, presidents who died in office, and the 2000 election.Poems and Quotes
8. Bennet, William J. Our Sacred Honor. Simon and Schuster. 1997. 384pp.
This book has brief excerpts, drawn from speeches, letters, poems, and memoirs by both little-known patriots and by such luminaries as Benjamin Franklin, John and Abigail Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. This book may be difficult for younger grades, but is an excellent read-aloud and integrative source for lower middle school through high school students.
9. Sloane, Arthur A. Humor in the White House: The Wit of Five American Presidents.
McFarland & Company. 2001. 216pp.
Presidents often bring a sense of humor to the White House with them, allowing the American public to catch a glimpse of their not-so-serious sides. This book examines how five of the nation's funniest chief executives-Abraham Lincoln, Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan-used wit and humor to their advantage during their terms as president, and how their management of the Executive Branch was thereby enhanced. Written for a slightly older audience, this book would be best suited for upper middle school to high school, or with selected sections as a read-aloud.Fiction Novels
10. High, Linda Oatman. The Presidents Puppy. New York. Scholastic. 2002.
This book is scheduled to be published in April 2002. It is a fictional account of Abraham Lincoln's childhood puppy. Written as a late elementary to early middle school book, it is an excellent read-aloud or for any animal-loving student.Multicultural Novels
11. Rinaldi, Ann. Wolf by the Ears. New York. Point. 1993. 
This novel tells of the attractive, well-educated real-life daughter of Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings. The story is of a young girl who yearns for her father to acknowledge his paternity. Harriet's decision to leave Monticello and pass as white is told in a breathless, emotional style. An interesting story with a basis in history. It is a good read aloud for middle school to high school students.Women and Leadership
12. Angelo, Bonnie. First Mothers: Women who Shaped the Presidents. Harperperennial
Library. 2001.
This book gives insight into why the 11 presidents of the 20th Century are the way they are. It is an insightful, non-fictional look at how these men were raised, and the effects it had on their presidency. This is a great resource that can add a different spin onto a report on presidents, or can even be a fun book to read with your class. Best suitable for upper elementary to middle, or even high school aged students.
13. Parker, Janice. Political Leaders. New York. Crabtree Publishing Company. 1998.
This book contains six profiles of several pages each, with many photographs, sidebars, quotes, and maps. The information is easily accessible and is most useful for writing reports and conducting research. It includes entries on women including Nobel Prize Winners, Mother Teresa, Eva Peron, and Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as others. Written for the older elementary to middle school audience, this book is an excellent resource in examining the many great contributions women have (and still do make) to the politcal arena in our county.
