State House Press is launching a new series of Texas biographies
aimed at students in the fourth grade. The series focuses on
important, but perhaps lesser known, Texans and their contributions to
Texas history.
The first two books in the series look at Henrietta King, matriarch of
the King Ranch family, and Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of
the Republic of Texas. They are among the personalities whose
names appear on study guides for the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills test taken by all children in the fourth grade.
Written by noted Texas children's author Judy Alter, the biographies
are concisely presented in language that can be understood by fourth
graders but also enjoyed by older readers. West Texas artist Patrick
Messersmith illustrates the books with compelling black and white
sketches.
The books are designed to be inviting and approachable to readers
of any age, with extra spacing between lines to enhance readability
and creative use of informative sidebar material.
The Stars of Texas Series is a natural fit for State House Press, an
imprint of the McWhiney Foundation, whose mission is to promote and
encourage the study of history.
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JUDY ALTER writes fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. In
2005, she received the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement
from the Western Writers of America. She is director of TCU Press
and lives in Fort Worth, Texas. PATRICK MESSERSMITH is a noted
artist who resides in Dallas, Texas. He states, "as a native Texan, it's
great to be a part of teaching the legacy of our state's heroes (who
might not receive as much attention) to the younger generations."
Number Two: Stars of Texas Series
What people are saying about this book
"Mirabeau B. Lamar is an excellent, youth-oriented introduction to one of
early Texas' histories most important figures. This book, and others in
the Stars of Texas series, offers not only excellent text, but a timeline,
glossary, suggestions for further reading, websites, and an
index."—Eclectic Homeschool On-line
". . . an excellent series."—The Manhattan Mercury
"One of the best parts of the book was the war for Texas independence,
because the author explained why they were fighting. It was good that
the poem Lamar wrote to Henrietta Moffitt is in the book, because it is
nice to see how he felt. The book also taught me about why the wars
with the Indians and Mexico happened, and the kids of things that
happened in battle. The book also helped me know more about Sam
Houston and who he was, what he did, and how he did it. I also learned
that Mirabeau Lamar had friends and enemies in his life, and about
the legend of him taking his wife to an Indian hut and caring for her
after an accident. I would recommend this book for fourth graders and
above."—Emma Barringer, Raguet Elementary School in Nacogdoches,
Texas, review published in East Texas Historical Journal
"The best way to build up a new generation of Texas history lovers is
to produce books that appeal to young readers, and the good folks at
State House Press are opening that door with a wonderful new series . . .
'The Stars of Texas Series' is going to be something to watch. . . . The
books are fast-paced and interesting, allowing the student to quickly
understand the customs and life ways of Texas history."—Texas
Illustrated Magazine
"This large-print book has several enticing features for the young
reader. Sidebars highlight bits of trivia . . . End matters include
excerpts from two of Lamar's poems, a chronology of his life, a
glossary, an annotated list of six books for further reading and five
reliable websites, and an index. Five eloquent black-and-white
drawings by Patrick Messersmith managed to convey history with
a sense of motion—even his portraits make it seem as if Lamar
has been caught in mid act. . . . Alter lets us see Lamar against
the background of his era. With style and clarity, this book enables
youngsters to understand a fairly complex character and his
contribution to Texas history. Highly recommended for juvenile
readers."—Review of Texas Books
"Alter's book makes excellent use of sidebars to impart valuable
information, and includes a glossary, a timeline, and websites that hold
additional information. Both comprehensive and highly readable for
fourth graders, Mirabeau B. Lamar is an apt reminder of the
contributions one man can make."—Gail Cooke
". . . the children will be so engrossed in this well-written book, . . . that
the kids will never realize they are reading something 'good for them.'
They will only know that they are reading a good story."—Round-up
Magazine
Recommended reading: "a much needed text for teaching the TEKS
in Texas. . . . an excellent insight to Lamar. This will be great for
meeting the fourth grade TEKS."—Leslie Woolsey, Region XI
Educational Services Center
". . . easy reading, well researched and authentic, purposefully
designed to attract children . . . to read real history made by real
people during real life events. What better way to get children
interested in reading, than preparing something like this to get their
little eyes unglued form the television screen?"—The Manhattan
Mercury
"If you need a gift for a child, try either of these books in the new
Stars of Texas Series from State House."—Brazosport Facts
Also in the Stars of Texas Series
