As I have mentioned many times in the past, my knowledge of history is, at best, subpar. History has always been boring to me. Because I am currently planning to home school Mister and Sister, I know that I need to brush up. Trouble is, I’ve never found history to be terribly exciting.
I recently had the opportunity to review an exciting new series of books about history called Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor
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About the Books…
Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor
Book OneTyler Thompson hates school. He does not have many friends, and never knows the answers to any of Miss Trimble’s questions. He usually ends up retreating to his quiet area in the back of the classroom so no one will bother him. But one day, Tyler gets a big shock when his nervous foot tapping unlocks a secret trapdoor beneath his desk! He discovers a dark and mysterious basement filled with old books guarded by a magical talking dog named Barnabas Bailey. Now, with the help of the books and his guide, Barney, Tyler can travel to any time in the past to learn about history up close. Maybe it’s not so bad to be Tyler Thompson after all…
- Reading level: Ages 9-12
- Hardcover: 64 pages
- Publisher: Synergy Books (October 1, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0982160143
Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor:
The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus
Book TwoTyler Thompson is not looking forward to October. He doesn’t know which will be worse: trying out for the basketball team or giving an oral report about Christopher Columbus in front of the whole class! But, he has a secret weapon: the magic trapdoor beneath his school desk that lets him visit any time in history. With his trusted canine guide, Barnabas Bailey, Tyler travels back in time and sets sail aboard the Santa Maria with Columbus himself. When he sees all the setbacks even a great explorer can face before reaching his goal, Tyler knows he can’t give up. Can he make the team and deliver an awesome report? One thing is for sure: he won’t stop trying.
- Reading level: Ages 9-12
- Hardcover: 88 pages
- Publisher: Synergy Books (October 1, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0982160151
Finally, something to make history FUN! And Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor has just been awarded first place in the children’s fiction category of the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. How cool is that?
About the author…
Lori Jordan-Rice is a former elementary school teacher who taught in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area school districts for 10 years. She has classroom experience ranging from the kindergarten through sixth grade levels. Jordan-Rice graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies/elementary education and received several Lifetime Texas Teacher Certificates including Elementary Self Contained, Elementary Reading, and Early Childhood.
Disappointed by the historical illiteracy rate among American children today, Jordan-Rice was determined to provide a resource to help kids learn the fundamentals of U.S. history in an exciting and engaging way. She has always loved to write, and has had the idea for a children’s history series since college. When her third son was about three, she finally made the time for putting her story line into words.
More books in the series coming soon…
Book Three Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Courage of the Pilgrims
Book Four Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Independence of the Founding Fathers
Book Five Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Adventurous Spirit of Lewis and Clark
What I thought…
I truly enjoyed reading this series. I think history is boring, but these books even had ME wanting to keep reading. Because they are geared for slightly older children, I had to take it one chapter at a time with my two. I liked the concept of using real history and modern day characters that children can actually relate to. The books are well written and the chapters are short enough to keep a kid’s attention. I will definitely be adding this series to my arsenal for home schooling!
What I would change…
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am looking forward to the rest of the series, and can’t wait to see how Lori Jordan-Rice handles the American Revolution in her series.
Be blessed,
Virginia
A special thanks to Lori Jordan-Rice, who provided me with copies of Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor and Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus to facilitate this review.
I learned that Jordan-Rice based the main character Tyler loosely around her own oldest son who is a bit shy, and looked to all the students she has taught over the years as models for other characters with whom all kids could identify.
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i learned Lori Jordan-Rice is a former elementary school teacher who taught in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area school districts for 10 years.
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I love the concept of the books, If I were the lucky winner the book would go to my grand son as he is finally starting to enjoy reading.
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I visited the site and I think the books look great! I like that she is making history something fun and exciting for kids!
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Im following you via google friend connect
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I liked your facebook page
Facebook ID is Elizabeth Lynch Garland
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I liked ms trimbles trapdoor via facebook
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I learned they have kids activities http://www.misstrimblestrapdoor.com/activities.html
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I loved that the author was a former teacher! I bet my daughter (9) would love this series!
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The authorhas classroom experience ranging from the kindergarten through sixth grade levels.
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I learned they have a Kids Activities on their site.
Lee 🙂
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What a cool concept! I have a nine year old who I think these would be perfect for.
I visited the site and what I learned was that the author based the main character loosely around her eldest child and another character loosely around the family pet!
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