Top 5 Books for New Jersey, plus a biography about poet William Carlos Williams. There were a couple books about the indigenous Lenni Lenape tribe specific to New Jersey. They are listed here: Lenni Lenape booklist.
G is for Garden State, link to read for free on archive.org
“Readers will be delighted to discover the many wonders of the Garden State, from her famous sons and daughters (inventor Thomas Edison and the Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher) to her beautiful sights (the Highlands, the Pinelands, and New Jersey’s famous shoreline), and her unique institutions (The Seeing Eye training institute for seeing eye dogs and Haddy, the largest complete dinosaur skeleton of its time, found in 1858). G is for Garden State explores the places, people, and landmarks that make New Jersey a fascinating place to live in and to visit again and again. Written in the popular two-tier format for our Discover America State by State alphabet series, young readers will explore state facts through colorful illustrations, rhyming verses, and expository text.” (description from Amazon)
They Called Her Molly Pitcher, link to read it for free on archive.org
I appreciated the author’s note that explains who the original Molly Pitcher was (Mary Hays McCauly) and how they figured it out.
“When her husband joined General Washington’s army, Molly Hays went with him. All through the winter at Valley Forge, Molly watched and listened. Then in July, in the battle at Monmouth, she would show how much she had learned. Molly could tell the day would be a scorcher, so she decided to bring water from a nearby spring to the fighting men. More than 50 British soldiers would die of heatstroke that day, but the American soldiers need only cry, “Molly–pitcher!” On one trip through the fighting field, she saw her husband get shot. She satisfied herself that he wouldn’t die from his wound, then took over his job–firing off the cannon!” (from the publisher)
The 18 Penny Goose, link to read for free on archive.org
“The American Revolution is being fought in the hills around Letty Wright’s family’s farm, and the Wrights must flee to safety. There is no time for Letty to bring Solomon the gander. Letty hopes the British don’t hurt Solomon, but hungry soldiers aren’t known for their kindness. Eight-year-old Letty tries the only thing she can think of to save him—and is as surprised as the other colonists when it works. An entertaining read for early-elementary units on the American Revolution.” (description from Amazon)
This is “An I Can Read Book” Level 3 for Grades 2-4, written in 4 chapters.
Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story, link to read for free on archive.org
There is brief mention of the Lenni Lenape living in this area before colonization.
“The 20,000 acres of wetlands in New Jersey now known as the Meadowlands were once home to hundreds of species of plants and animals. But in the four hundred years since European explorers first arrived in the Meadowlands, people have dammed up, drained, built over, and polluted this formerly vibrant ecosystem―and all but destroyed it. Still, signs of life remain―under bridges, on the edges of parking lots, and beside train tracks. Slowly but surely, with help from activist groups, government organizations, and ordinary people, the resilient creatures of the Meadowlands are making a comeback, and the wetlands are recovering.” (description from Amazon)
Kate’s Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
“Elizabeth Spires describes the joys and hardships of a life at sea, detailing pivotal moments in [Kate} Walker’s life to show her indomitable spirit, and celebrates the determination that drove Kate to keep her home and her livelihood. Paired with Emily Arnold McCully’s atmospheric, vivid watercolor-and-ink illustrations of lonely lighthouses, sun-dappled afternoons, and wrathful storms, this gripping picture book brings turn of the century New York to life.
“Additional material in the back of the book includes a biographical note about Kate Walker, historical photographs of Kate and her home at Robbins Reef Lighthouse, reproductions of an historical map of New York Harbor, and a list of sources for more information.” (description from Amazon)
Poetry Study
This book describes the careful thought that went into the poetry of William Carlos Williams. I like how he was inspired by daily life and made careful observations as he treated his patients. “The Red Wheelbarrow” is on the last page of this book.
“‘Look out the window. What do you see? If you are Dr. William Carlos Williams, you see a wheelbarrow. A drizzle of rain. Chickens scratching in the damp earth.’ The wheelbarrow belongs to Thaddeus Marshall, a street vendor, who every day goes to work selling vegetables on the streets of Rutherford, New Jersey. That simple action inspires poet and doctor Williams to pick up some of his own tools–a pen and paper–and write his most famous poem.
“In this lovely picture book, young listeners will see how paying attention to the simplest everyday things can inspire the greatest art, as they learn about a great American poet.” (description from Amazon)