Howard Goldsmith

Thomas was a curious little boy who found a map with a Native American burial mound marked on it. His father told him that he should never go to that place. Thomas told his friends about the map and the told him that the woods were haunted. Neither of them claiming to be afraid, dared the other to visit the woods. That night they went to the mound. All of a sudden the mound started to rise up and ghosts started coming. While hiding behind a bush Thomas saw the Indian ghosts on horseback praying. But he was spotted. The story has a very good ending that left Thomas learning the ways of his new friends.
This book was personally not one of my favorites. But I'm sure small children will love this cute little book about Thomas and ghosts.
Classroom extension:
1 have students write how they would feel if they were in the woods and saw ghosts
2. have the student reenact the story in their own words.… (más)

Summary: A story of the young life of Thomas Jefferson and his adventure into the woods. He seen a map from his father that had a large red symbol on it. Warned by his father to never go there, Tom still set out in the night to see what this was on the map. It was a burial mound for the Indians. At that time riders came running on the horses to the mound. A group of indians got off their horses and prayed. Tom was caught but was not harmed. He left the area by the smile and a wave from the chief. He would visit the village and learn their ways and would help him once he became the President.

Personal Reaction: If this really is a story from Tom's life, then this is an awesome childhood and was interesting to have read and learned.

Classroom Extension: Students research someone who they would like to know more about and give a small presentation about the person they have researched to the class.… (más)

Very minor collection of horror stories aimed at (I would say) 12-year olds. My 8-year old daughter read it in about an hour and a half and liked the last story, about a vampire, the best. So I figured I could read it myself, especially since it was Halloween. All seven stories are told from the point of view of an adolescent, mostly boys, but not always. Things are just a little too linear and obvious in each story, but they aren't without some merit and will certainly serve the purpose if you're looking for horror stories suitable for an impressionable child who is an avid reader. I would probably pick "The Shadow" as my favorite, for a few genuine moments of creepiness.… (más)