She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer by Sally Hobart Alexander and Robert Alexander

Fifty years before Helen Keller, there was Laura Bridgman. She lost her hearing, eyesight, and most of her senses of taste and smell, to scarlet fever. An exceptionally bright child, Laura was taken at age seven to the Perkins School for the Blind, where she became the student of Samuel Gridley Howe. She learned to read raised letters (not Braille) and to understand and to "speak" language through finger spelling. Later in her life she was Annie Sullivan's teacher. This excellent biography will lead students to a better understanding of the deaf-blind and their accomplishments. The author herself is blind and somewhat hearing-impaired. Bridgman's story is told in a lively, readable style and is heavily illustrated with photographs and period illustrations. An index, bibliography, notes, and websites are included. Highly recommended for middle school. It can easily be paired with "Helen's Eyes."

Madame President by Lane Smith

A romping imagination-filled examination of the duties of the President of the United States viewed through the eyes of a child. This book would be an excellent beginning point to a study of the presidency. It brings up a number of points on the list of presidental duties from photo-ops, to baby kissing, to the president's cabinet including secretary of agriculture (Mr. Potato Head) as well as some like Secretary of Soccer. Hail to the Chief has been included--but check out the modifications. Our president even has to contend with a disaster area (her own room). A great tongue-in-cheek introduction to a serious topic.

Helpful from a teacher perspective to view it this way--certainly explains some of the answers we get on test questions!