We Were There, Too!: Young People in U.S. History

by Phillip Hoose

"This may be the most exhilarating and revelatory history of our country. It is must reading for today's youth-as well as their elders." --Studs Terkel

From the boys who sailed with Columbus to today's young activists, this unique book brings to life the contributions of young people throughout American history. Based on primary sources and including 160 authentic images, this handsome oversized volume highlights the fascinating stories of more than 70 young people from diverse cultures. Young readers will be hooked into history as they meet individuals their own age who were caught up in our country's most dramatic moments-Olaudah Equiano, kidnapped from his village in western Africa and forced into slavery, Anyokah, who helped her father create a written Cherokee language, Johnny Clem, the nine-year-old drummer boy who became a Civil War hero, and Jessica Govea, a teenager who risked joining Cesar Chavez's fight for a better life for farmworkers. Throughout, Philip Hoose's own lively, knowledgeable voice provides a rich historical context-making this not only a great reference-but a great read. The first U.S. history book of this scope to focus on the role young people have played in the making of our country, its compelling stories combine to tell our larger national story, one that prompts Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, to comment, "This is an extraordinary book-wonderfully readable, inspiring to young and old alike, and unique."

We Were There, Too! is a 2001 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, American History, United States, Middle Grade

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Phillip Hoose is the widely-acclaimed author of books, essays, stories, songs, and articles, including the National Book Award winning book, Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice.

He is also the author of the multi-award winning title, The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, the National Book Award Finalist We Were There Too!: Young People in U.S. History, and the Christopher Award-winning manual for youth activism It's Our World Too!.

The picture book, Hey, Little Ant which began as a song by the same title was co-authored with his daughter Hannah. The book is beloved around the world with over one million copies in print in ten different languages. Teaching Tolerance Magazine called it, "A masterpiece for teaching values and character education."

Phillip's love of the game is reflected in his acclaimed books, Perfect Once Removed: When Baseball Was All the World to Me which was named one of the Top 10 Sports Books of 2007 by Booklist and Hoosiers: the Fabulous Basketball Life of Indiana.

A graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Hoose has been a staff member of The Nature Conservancy since 1977, dedicated to finding and protecting habitats of endangered species.

A songwriter and performing musician, Phillip Hoose is a founding member of the Children's Music Network and a member of the band Chipped Enamel. He lives in Portland, Maine.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/philli...

Reviews

[Missmath144 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at young people who played roles (large and small) in history, and most of whom were overlooked by history. For example, months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, a teenage girl named Claudette Colvin did the same thing in the same city. At the time, Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists in Montgomery felt that they weren't quite ready to put the issue to the test, particularly for a young girl who had resisted arrest. The book covers events in American history from Columbus' time to the present.

[Janalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a valuable book. I wouldn't mind owning it. Filled with 3-4 page true accounts from less known (usually persecuted) heroes in US history who usually stood up against mistreatment and/or made changes for betterment. I would have my boys read different stories that I thought pertained to them. Starting from 1492 - present day (or 2001, when this was published).

Ex: One day I thought 14-year-old Roman was being particularly moody and ungrateful so I assigned him a story of a 14-year-old Billy Bates who was imprisoned in American camps during the civil war: starved (down to under 60 pounds), overworked, abused, shot and his escape to find Pres Lincoln and tell him what was going on.

Ex, part 2: Damian loves basketball so I gave him to read the account of the female basketball player who, in 1976, in Warsaw, Indiana fought for equal treatment, equipment and facilities as the boys had.

The stories are told in a really captivating but matter-of-fact way that appeal to kids and adults. I learned so much about history - my single quest in life.

In school, I was talking to my second graders about buffalo and they were learning the basics about Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea. Having this story fresh in my mind, I was able to fill in the gaps and tell them that Native American's used every part of the buffalo for food, glue, clothing, blankets. There were thousands (millions actually, now that I'm re-reading) available. Then the passengers of trains started shooting at them for sport from the windows as they sailed by and soon there were thousands of rotting carcasses stinking up the land, wasted.

The best part is I stumbled onto this on a rare libraric browsing.

[Cheryl]

Highly recommended. My mother and I both (independently) read most of it.

I particularly appreciated the quote from the Spanish Friar Antonio Montesinos as it shows that "a people" is not, has never been, one voice. In defense of the Tainos, he said, " I must cry out to you that we are people in sin. You are destroying an innocent people. And for it you deserve damnation from a God of wrath. By what right do you force labor from these people in your mines and in your fields? Are they not human beings? Have they no souls, no minds? Are you not under God's command to love them as you love yourself? In the name of all that is good and holy will you stop?"

Also interesting to learn was that the white girl who was hollering "Go home, n*" to Elizabeth Eckford in the famous photo from Little Rock, 1957, repented. Five years later, she called Eckford to apologize. She admitted, " I grew up in a segregated society and I thought that was the way it was and that's the way it should be.... I don't want to pass this on to another generation."

So much to learn from this! Ages 12 or so up to, well, 83. :)

[Breanne Sergenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Non-Fiction/Multicultural
Grade Level: 4-7
Awards: National Book Award Finalist

This book provides a glimpse at how children and young adults played a role in history, both large and small, yet most were overlooked by history. This is a powerful book to present students by helping them relate to a time in history while reading first hand accounts from children around their own age. The book is highly informational with almost every page displaying a real photograph. Some photographs are portraits of the children the story is about, while other photos capture a specific moment in time. There are also many text boxes with additional information that extend something discussed in the story.

The book is broken into sections based on the historical event taking place. There are stories range from traveling with Columbus to today's activists. There is a section on the civil war consisting of six touching stories. The stories range from a nine year old boy who ran away from home and joined the military to a fourteen year old african american slave who secretly sealed out an education and later used her reading and writing skills to teach others. I feel that these stories would add depth to a civil war unit and would allow for many topics to discuss with students and do further research on.

[Kimber Tate]

Biography


Ways to Use in the Classroom-This book provides multiple biographies from young soldiers and explorers to civil rights heroes. These stories are ways to connect students with important historical events by helping them to "see" people who made the history.

[Bree Bosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! This has amazing photographs and tells the stories of children during times in history. I think this is a phenomenal book to help students be able to relate to a time in history that they may be learning about because it is specific stories from children.

[Erin Ramai]

National Book Award Finalist

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book. I'm sure it's intended as a non-fiction classroom resource, but I read it front to back.

I read Hoops by Matt Tavares earlier in the year and really enjoyed it. An entry in Hoose's We Were There, Too! was devoted to the girls basketball team that Tavares' graphic novel is based on. Tavares glowingly acknowledged this book so what can I say, I'll follow a footnote anywhere.

This is a roughly chronological accord of first hand accounts of children in the US from just pre-Western colonization to the early 21st century (my pub. date was 2001). The first hand accounts are then introduced to context of whatever event the child was involved in. There's also a summation of what the child did in their adult life, which I really appreciated.

The Colombian Exchange, Revolutionary War, Civil War, the Labor movement, a lot of the beats that primary / middle grades social studies teach are included in it.

It's really well done.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I used this for my social studies presentation, this was still a great book that I would recommend. With its interesting facts and helpful information, this definitely played a big role in helping me finish my project. Even if you don't like reading books related to history, I would still recommend this to you as it provided lots of facts that I never knew before, and it briefly summarises the history of the U.S. Happy reading !

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good gives perceptive veiws

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book.

[Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short accounts of many lives make history full and more complete in the retelling of it. Photos too! A wonderful addition to the historical bookshelf.

[Fenixbird SandS · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Added to "My Secret Santa wishlist"... An exciting range of true stories of brave youth ranging from Pocahontas to Cesar Chavez. Okay, sure, Mark Twain comes to mind. Hoose's fantastic compilation of stories set in an almost encyclopedic-like formate spans several centuries...Appropriate for Age Group: 10 years old and up.
Evaluation: When I found this book on the teacher’s choice list, it interested me right away. I was surprised by just how amazing a resource I later discovered it to be. Did you know that Sybil Ludington was commemorated on a U.S. postage 8 cent stamp in a Youthful Heroine series? How does one engage the young mind? What appeal does history have to the middle schooler or pre-teen?
1. Meaningful: Sometimes our opportunities are blocked. Other times we might lack courage to improve ourselves or change something important to us. What might you (the reader) do if you were in the shoes of these young men and women? Would you let destiny prevent you from following your heart's desire, just because you were born a woman, or born poor, or war broke out and you were the “wrong” ethnicity, meaning the ethnicity of the country our country is opposing in a war?
So what is the subject of Hoose’s book? Under age soldiers, behind-the-scenes spies, reformers, civil rights heroes and heroines—all under the age of 16 or even younger—the telling of their stories, from their perspective in history. Wonderful approach to history which just might interest the young reader. Whether or not the reader believes that God can use anyone or even our circumstances to bring about the greater good setting us on a more desirable path if we can allow ourselves to be used of God. Many religious persons do believe this as an absolute truth. What are your beliefs? Why do you believe what you do? These are just a few of the issues spoken to in this biographical collection .
2. Quality of life: By reading about the true life experiences of several dozen young people throughout history—from slaves, to farmers, to underage soldiers, to children who simply believed in and helped to fight for a cause-- children can study the life choices and decisions of people their own age who lived throughout history who were perhaps just like themselves—but children because of their efforts or courage to make a difference made significant impact on society and helped to shape the quality of our lives today.

Pictures from books of those years & sidebars which illustrate the way people lived & thought as well as a paragraph about What events shaped our Nation? What did the children experience? How did Child Labor Laws become passed? You mean my great great grandfather had to go to work in a factory at the age of 8?
3. Inspirational: This close examination of dozens of young people who helped in the shaping of America’s history is rich with photographs that enhance the telling of their incredible true stories. Reviewers have said it is one-of-a kind. It could make for a wonderful classroom resource to have available for perhaps one outside biographical book. Instead of one person’s story the reader finds dozens of stories of people who are not yet adult, yet their accounts of history making experiences might be among the most inspirational I have read.
4. Influential: This is an important book which can help young people feel what people from bygone times felt and may help our young American youth to answer many of their own questions about history, such as “Where do I come from? Who paid the price for the freedoms we have today? How did Unions ever come into existence? Why is their no draft (forced registration) for military service today?
Organization: Unique in its subject matter—biographies of pre-adult contributors to historical events—we find biographies categorized by time period after time period. Are we looking for a civil war hero? Then utilizing the table of contents we can readily find within Part Seven. Shifting Gears in a New Century several brave young people’s stories of change, from Gene Schermerhorn: A New City Every Day (NYC 1848-1922) and Jennie Curtis: Strike Leader (Pullman, IL) to Edna Purtel: Suffrageist (Hartford, CT Washington D.C., 1918). Jackie Cooper: “Lights, Action, Cry!” (Hollywood, CA 1930) who starred as a child actor from age 8 had earned more than the President of the U.S. But adults controlled his money. It was not until California State Legislature passed the Child Actors’ Bill that children could legally obtain control of their earnings. This Act stated at least half of a child actor’s earnings had to be set aside in a fund that could be claimed when the actor turned eighteen. We know Jackie Cooper perhaps better for directing the long-running television series, M*A*S*H.

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to learning about American history.

[Sarah Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoose, P. M. (2001). We were there, too!: young people in U. S. history. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Citation by: Sarah Hope Tyler

Type of Reference: Biographical Reference

Call Number: 920 Hoo

Content/Scope: Hoose’s collective biography shares the voices of over seventy young people and covers their participation in United States history from 1492 to the 1990s. It features the lives of children and young adults from pivotal eras of history. Each historical period has an introductory summation of events to aid students’ understanding of prevalent issues. Each individual or small group is represented by a profile of at least two pages, with a brief epilogue explaining the adulthood of the individual or group.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Philip Hoose is an award-winning author of many fiction and non-fiction titles, including It's Our World, Too!: Young People Who Are Making a Difference and Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. In the section entitled “Sources” of We Were There, Too!, he lists some of the materials used in the writing of the book, noting with asterisks which items are geared towards children. Hoose tells each young person’s story with accuracy and authority. His treatment of each individual in each time period is unbiased, relying on information from primary sources, such as diaries, letters, journals, maps, and photographs.

Arrangement/Presentation: The book is arranged chronologically, grouping the profiles into nine parts based on historical period. Each profile starts with a quotation from the individual and is supplemented by intriguing photographs or illustrations of the individual or the time period. As appropriate, Hoose fills the margins with bits of relevant historical information, explanatory notes, and examples of popular children’s songs, games, books, and poems. The index aids users in finding the entry for a specific individual or finding information on a particular place, event, or topic.

Relation to Other Works: This title would provide support for the fiction and non-fiction books on various eras in history and would complement secondary sources of information through the first-hand accounts, as the first biographical reference for the collection.

Accessibility/Diversity: Recommended for students in fifth grade and above, We Were There, Too! is applicable to students in grades four and five, since these grades study United States. With support for adults, the text is within the reading levels of these students, although a glossary would aid in independent use. Featuring students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the book appeals to students all ethnicities, since they can find accounts of children similar to themselves. The engaging graphics and interesting additional information help history come alive, while the primary sources help students connect with the individuals.

Cost: $28

Professional Review: Christolon, B. (2005). We were there, too!: Young people in U.S. history. School Library Journal, 51(8), 47.

[Marissa Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was very good. I learned so much from this book like who create Microsoft. So if your home schooled like me and you need to read history for school or if you just love history (also like me) then I suggest you read this book.

[Christie Jones]

Book: Hoose, P. M. (2001). We were there too!: Young people in u.s. history. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Reviewed by : Christie Jones

Type of Reference : Biographical Reference

Call Number : 900 H7891w 2001

Content/Scope: This book brings to life the contributions of young people to American History. It is 276 pages about stories of American History and young people.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Hoose is an award winning author that turned his attention toward children. He places young people at the center of every event in American History in this book.
Arrangement/Presentation: This book is divided into sections based on American History and the years it occurred. The History relates to young people. Each essay is accompanied by photos or illustrations, as well as sidebars with fascinating related tidbits of information.
Relation to other works: This relates to other U.S. History books, but is different because it only highlights the heroism and challenges that young people faced, as well.
Accessibility/Diversity: This book is great for all student populations, as it discusses U.S. History relating to people their own age. This was on the list for Top Ten Biographies for Youth by Booklist.

Costs: This set can be found for under $30.

Professional Review:
We Were There, Too! Young People in U.S. History. (Middle Readers). Booklist Jan 1, 2002 v98 p767(1)

[Bethany Griffin]

Hoose, Phillip M.. We were there, too!: young people in U.S. history. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2001.

Reference Type- Biographic Reference

Content/Scope- Records achievements of young people throughout American history. Relates story of more than 70 children from diverse backgrounds. 512 pages. Places young people in the midst of every event that shaped America.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias- author is an award winning author (Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Christopher Award, and a National Book Award).

Arrangement/Presentation- Oversized volume, 160 images, photographs, archival images, source notes, and an index.

Relation to other works-Amongst many volumes about history, this is the only volume that represents just young people from a historical perspective.

Accesibility/Diversity- Lower reading level to entice students of varying proficiency with language. High interest content with historical value, diverse subject matter.

Timeliness and Permanence- Starred Review from School Library Journal. Includes archival images and notes.
National Book Award Finalist.

Cost= $32.99 hardcover

http://www.booksinprint.com.libsrv.wk...

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short biographies of dozens of young people who made a mark in American history, including explorers, planters, spies, cowpunchers, sweatshop workers, and civil rights workers.
Chapters are: ¡Tierra!: when two worlds meet; Strangers in paradise: the British colonies; Breaking Away: the American Revolution; Learning to be a Nation; One Nation or Two?: the Civil War; Elbow Room: the West; Shifting Gears in a New Century; Hard Times: wars, depression, and dust; Times That Kept a-Changin’; Linking Up in the Twenty-first Century. bibliography.
My favorite is 16-year-old Sybil Ludington who rode much farther (nearly 40 miles!) than Paul Revere to round up her father's militia men to oppose the British, April 26, 1777.
One thing I really like about this book is that it tells what happened to the person afterward, if it's known. In the case of Sybil Ludington, she married her childhood sweetheart, had 6 children and died at the age of 77. In 1975 a U.S. postage stamp was issued in her honor. In addition to showing a picture of the stamp, there's a sketch map of the route she rode.
Though written for children & teenagers, I recommend it for everyone who's interested in American history, and all American citizens, and would-be citizens, and those who just live here.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another childhood book of mine. I wish I knew where my original had gone. Anywho, as a juvenile history buff, I loved reading this as a kid. I can remember how enraged I felt when learning how Eunice Williams basically developed Stockholm Syndrome and joined the Mohawks. (Let's face it, folks - American Indian OR white, nobody wants their kids to renounce them and their culture to join a completely strange new one, amirite?)

I also remembered wondering what the heck AIDS was when I read about Ryan White. My prepubescent self thought it was ironic to name a disease "Aids" (since it sounded like first aid kit). My mom, a nurse, attempted to explain it without having to completely explain it, but it all just flew over my head.

Looking back, I have no doubt that Mr. Hoose was biased in his recording of history, and probably to the liberal side of the room. Luckily, however, when you're a kid, some things are meant to go over your head.

[Stven · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent resource for teachers of all kinds. Good historical sketches with young people as the central characters -- and good solid reasons for having them at the center.

My only criticism is that this long series of episodes has been put in order from oldest to newest. I contend it would have been much easier to hook the modern reader -- and in particular the modern young reader -- if we had begun at the beginning of the book with the most contemporary stories, giving the reader a nice sense of being grounded in a familiar and already interesting reality, giving the author a chance to establish his credibility and his sensibilities, and working backwards in time from there.

How many times did I sit through the stories of Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims in year after year of American History and never make it into the 20th century? Start with today.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

RuthAnn and I read the book together, one chapter each night at bedtime. We really enjoyed reading about famous historical events via the accounts of young people who personally lived through the event. Very clever and interesting way to read about history. It would be a good choice for both young people who are living long after these events and for older folks who were alive at the time and may have gained a different perspective on the events described because their only source was the national news broadcasts.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, the events we read about in our history books seem so far off and distant that it's hard to imagine that normal people like you and me lived through those times. Starting with a story about a young boy who sailed with Christopher Columbus on the Santa Maria in 1492 and ending with a story about a young girl who began fighting for a safer environment in the late 1990s, this book is full of stories about young people in U.S. history. Reading these young people's accounts of their lives in times past truly makes U.S. history come to life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Lexish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights (albeit briefly) the lives and contributions of one or two children in each of the major historical periods of U.S. history. The writing is straightforward and clear, and I found myself constantly turning the page to read about "just one more" kid. Teachers especially might enjoy using/sharing this book as it gives a different and welcome perspective in addition to the standard history textbooks, which admittedly feature legions of grown-ups.

[Kip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like books that approach a topic from a fresh perspective. We Were There, Too! explores some of the important roles children have played during key events in U.S. history. The book is written for a young audience, but I found it to be engaging and informative. And it made me want to know more about how children have shaped our history.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to incorporate into the classroom. This book tells stories from history, but not just any stories. This book has found how young people have had and impact on in history. A great way for students to connect with what has happened in the past and a way to make boring history come to life!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Tells the stories of teens throughout history starting with the teens who accompanied Columbus on his voyage to America and ending with a girl in the 1990’s who starts an Environmental Group when she is only nine years old. Each story is only a few pages, so it is easy to pick up and point down. Not only educational, but a very fun read.

[Laura Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent accounting of children and young adults through history. A lot of personal stories of the important roles youth played in America's history. I was familiar with some of the stories, but there were quite a few people I didn't know. Personal words from the historical figure from their diaries, letters, and later recounts made it a very personable and intriguing read.

[Timna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read several sections of this for 4th grade book club. Hoose does an amazing job pitching US history for elementary students - never too intense, but importantly, never too "cleaned up". I worried that having to make all stories about kids would end up feeling forced, but it never did. This is a valuable and readable resource!