This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, K. I. Knight, and Jane R. Wood. Affiliate link is included.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Finding Family Treasure
Written by K. I. Knight and Jane R. Wood
Ages 7 and Up | 142 Pages
Publisher: Melting Pot Press LLC | ISBN-13: 9781737337102
Publisher’s Synopsis: “Who are we?” Ms. Johansson asks her class of fifth graders. Her perplexed students soon discover the lesson she wants them to learn. While studying the founding of their country, the class is challenged to understand the melting pot that makes up the American people-both past and present.
With the help of a genealogist, students learn to navigate websites that introduce them to written records that have documented their families’ histories. Because the class is comprised of students with roots to many nationalities and ethnic groups, including African American, Native American, Mexican, Cuban, Irish, Italian, Polish, Scandinavian, Lebanese, and Japanese immigrants, the diversity in their own class becomes apparent.
To assist in their research, the teacher gives the students an assignment of interviewing their parents and grandparents, to learn more about the members of their families. One by one, the young people hear family stories connecting them to America’s earliest immigrants and settlers. The students also learn about historical events their ancestors witnessed or experienced, including the early settlement of Virginia, the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, the Trail of Tears, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, early immigration processing at Ellis Island, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Holocaust.
As the story unfolds, some personal conflicts occur among the students, long-standing family tensions surface, and intergenerational relationships evolve. Complex issues such as privacy, adoption, diversity, immigration, slavery, and antisemitism are addressed in an age-appropriate manner.
Excited by what they have discovered, the students plan a program to share their findings with their families. Working together in small groups, they create a slide presentation of vintage photographs, a fashion show demonstrating various ethnic attire, music and food from different cultures, and visual displays showcasing military medals, artifacts, musical instruments, and family heirlooms.
Their family history project further inspires the students to want to do something more to honor past generations. With the help of a cemetery preservationist, they plan a clean-up day at a local graveyard in need of attention. Parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters join the class on a Saturday to help restore the final resting place of those who came before them.
As a result of their research project, the students not only discover personal connections to the past but also, in some cases, to each other.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: https://amzn.to/33plpxw
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781737337102
OFFICIAL LINKS
https://findingfamilytreasure.com/
https://www.facebook.com/findingfamilytreasure
https://www.instagram.com/finding_family_treasure/
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kathryn Knight, who uses the pen name K I Knight, is an international award-winning Author, Genetic Genealogist, American Historian, Keynote Speaker, and Cemetery Preservationist. Over the last thirteen years, Knight has documented more than 20,000 hours researching the first recorded Africans to arrive in the English settlement of Virginia in 1619. Her passion is unrivaled and strongly evident in her published writings.
Her literary work includes Fate & Freedom, a five star – Gold medal historical trilogy detailing the lives of the 1619 Africans, as well as her nonfiction work, Unveiled – The Twenty and Odd, for which she was awarded the Phillis Wheatley Literary Award by the Sons and Daughters of the US Middle Passage.
Knight is a board member for several National Non-profit organizations and the member of numerous Genealogy, Historical and Literary Societies including the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society, Florida State Genealogy Society, Virginia Genealogy Society, Virginia Historical Society, Florida Historical Society, American Historical Association, Genealogy Speakers Guild, Association of Professional Genealogists, the Alliance of Independent Authors, the National Association of Professional Women, and the Director of 1619 Genealogy. The mother of three adult children, Knight, lives in North Florida with her husband, Tom.
For more information, visit firstfreedompublishing.com.
Jane R. Wood is the author of five award-winning juvenile fiction books where she weaves history and science into stories filled with mystery, adventure, and humor for young readers ages 8-14. Students like her books because they’re fun. Teachers like them for their educational value. Wood is a former teacher, newspaper reporter, and television producer. She has a BA from the University of Florida and an MEd from the University of North Florida. Wood lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and is the mother of two grown sons and five grandchildren.
To learn more about her and her books, go to her website at janewoodbooks.com.
My Review
This well-researched children’s book will be a wonderful resource for schools and homeschools. The story includes children in a classroom that represent many different races and ethnicities. The teacher introduces them to genealogy and creates a classroom assignment that encourages the children to learn about their ancestors. The story is long and covers many problems that children face in school, on the playground, and at home. The reader will get to know each child well and see how that they respond and grow because of the assignment. Even the families seem to grow closer to each other because of the class project. This book is also useful for addressing prejudice and bullying.
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Tuesday, January 25, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewVirtual Book Tour Kick-Off |
| Wednesday, January 26, 2022Shooting Stars MagA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Thursday, January 27, 2022Writer with WanderlustA guest article by K.I. Knight and Jane WoodThe Importance of Learning About Family History For Kids |
| Friday, January 28, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA guest article by K.I. Knight and Jane WoodDiscussing Diversity and Family in the Classroom |
| Monday, January 31, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Tuesday, February 1, 2022The Momma SpotA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Wednesday, February 2, 2022Heart to HeartAn author interview withK.I. Knight and Jane Wood |
| Thursday, February 3, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Friday, February 4, 2022Crafty Moms ShareA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Monday, February 7, 2022A Dream Within A DreamA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Tuesday, February 8, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA guest article by K.I. Knight and Jane WoodHow Family Stories Connect Us |
| Wednesday, February 9, 2022Me Two BooksA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
| Thursday, February 10, 2022Because I Said SoA book review ofFinding Family Treasure |
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Finding Family Treasure, along with a 1-hour genealogy consultation!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed copy of Finding Family Treasure
A 1-hour genealogy consultation with Kathryn Knight, a genetic genealogist, and co-author of this book. Knight will provide guidance to establish a genealogy line for the recipient’s family, tailoring it to their needs.
Four (4) winners receive:
An autographed copy of Finding Family Treasure
Finding Family Treasure: Book Giveaway
Finding Family Treasure sounds like an excellent children’s book! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your review! Have a fantastic day!
This sounds like a wonderful book.
Thanks for sharing, this looks really good
Fantastic cover