THE WORLD OF LONG AGO

Ann McGovern

When Ann was a child in public school in New York City, history was taught in a boring way. So when Ann became a writer, she made a promise to herself to write interesting books about life long ago. That's why she created the series of "If you lived..." books. They are written in lively question and answer form.

A different time, a different place. What if you were there?

If You Lived in Colonial Times. Illustrated by June Otani. Scholastic paperback.

There were many laws in colonial times. Were there special laws about fun? What were the special Sunday laws? What happened if people broke the laws? What kind of clothes would you wear? Did you have to worry about table manners? Find out what it was like to live in the New England colonies from 1565-1776.

If You Lived With the Sioux Indians. Illustrated by Jean Syverud Drew. Scholastic paperback.

Would you live in the same place all the time? Were your parents strict? What was the bravest thing you did? What could you make out of a buffalo? Find out what it was like to live as a Sioux Indian in North and South Dakota from the years 1800 to 1850.

If You Sailed on the Mayflower. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. Scholastic paperback.

The voyage was hard. You'd hate the storms, the cold, dry meals, the cramped space. The first year in Plymouth was hard, too. Would you have any fun? Would you get into trouble? Find out what it was like to sail on the Mayflower, to live in Plymouth in 1620 and face dangers every day.

If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln. Illustrated by George Ulrich. Scholastic paperback.

You would live on the frontier where the woods were full of animals but not many people. What were the biggest dangers? Would you work hard? Find out what it was like to grow up as Lincoln did, on the frontiers of Kentucky and Indiana, in the prairie town of New Salem, Illinois and in the city of Springfield, Illinois in the early 1800s.

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving. Illustrated by Elroy Freem. Scholastic paperback.

The Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving lasted three whole days. This book tells you about the Pilgrims first hard year at Plymouth Colony and the events that led to the celebration.

Coming in 1999: If You Lived About 100 Years Ago. Illustrated by Anna Divito. Scholastic paperback.

This book is all about life before television, cars, computers. At the turn of the last century, many poor city children worked six days a week, 12 hours a day. The streets were a stinking mess of horses and carriages and mud. Life was hard for the poor. The rich showed off their fancy clothes and their houses took up a whole city block!

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Created July 15, 1997