THE PRESIDENT AND THE BAKER
Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution is the true tale of Christopher Ludwick, written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch It is a perfect story to share with student's of all ages when talking about President's Day. The narrative is fun and playful but still packs in some wonderful but little-known tidbits of history. Ludwick's wife tells him he is too fat and old to join George Washington and his troops, but Ludwick still finds a way to help the revolution, by baking gingerbread for the soldiers. By the end of the story he has become a spy who crosses enemy lines and convinces the German troops hired by the king to join the American side. I have a free resource on my Teachers Pay Teachers Site so go on over and check it out.
BUILDING SUSPENSE
Have you ever wondered why some books put you to sleep while other's keep you awake all night long as you turn page after page, racing to the end? Read this ARTICLE from Reader's Digest on how authors to build suspense in their writing.