Dewey Discoveries: "Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History" by Lois Miner Huey

Calling all grossology historians! I bet you had no idea that 150 years ago, American streets were paved with poo, that bugs swarmed beds to bite you at night, or that doctors routinely bled their patients in an attempt to heal their sicknesses. For more disgustingly fascinating info on early America, check out "Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History" by Lois Miner Huey and prepare to feel nauseous. For grades 4-8.

Dewey Number 973



--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Those Rebels, John and Tom" by Barbara Kerley

“Those Rebels, John and Tom” by Barbara Kerley illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

This picture book tells how the Declaration of Independence was written, but it’s told through the lives of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. These men were very different in their childhood upbringings, occupations and most importantly, personalities. John Adams was loud and loved to argue, whereas Thomas Jefferson was quiet and liked to write his thoughts out carefully. John’s weapon is his voice, but Tom’s is a quill. None of those differences matter because what they agreed on was one very important thing: The United States should be free of independent from Great Britain.

The men worked together to get support from the other delegates at the Continental Congress and Tom wrote the Declaration with support from his friend John. The rest, of course, is history! The author’s notes in the back share what happens between the two after they fight and win freedom for our nation. Both men later became President of the United States and had different ideas about what that job would mean. They stayed friends, even though they argued, and even died on the exact same day: July 4, 1826. This book is best suited for children first through fourth grade.

Other collaborative non-fiction books by these authors are “What To Do About Alice?” and “The Extraordinary Mark Twain (according to Suzy)”.

--Angie R., HQ