Upper elementary and early middle school students, typically ages 8 to 12, are experiencing a whole lot of physical, emotional, and social changes. They have boundless energy, curiosity, and a growing sense of independence, which makes the nonfiction book series History Smashers by Kate Messner a perfect choice for teaching history.
We chose History Smashers as a Teacher Pick because the books use illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more to get kids engaged in history. Acclaimed author Kate Messner explores the little-known details behind legends such as that of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving. Pre-adolescent students love to be in the know, and these books help them do just that.
Amy Brownlee is a Kansas middle school teacher who has 25 years of teaching experience. Here’s what Amy wants other teachers to know about the History Smashers series.
What grade levels and subject areas do you think the History Smashers series is best suited for?
I think History Smashers is perfect for upper elementary and early middle school. Students this age are ready for longer and more complex texts. They are old enough to understand complicated topics and grapple with complex issues. Learning about injustices and how people have historically fought for what is right is inspiring to kids this age. They have strong objections to unfairness and like to discuss the issues and share their opinions.
These books are wonderful for ELA informational reading standards, and they also tie strongly to social studies and science learning objectives.
Does this series align with any specific standards or curriculum guidelines that you know of?
This series ties to many cross-curricular standards including:
- ELA Informational Reading: Cite text evidence, draw inferences, determine central idea and how it’s supported through details, provide summary that is factual and distinct from personal opinions.
- Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World
- Social Studies: Indentured and involuntary servitude/slavery, Indigenous civilizations of the Western Hemisphere, exploration, European colonization, taxation without representation, independence, natural rights, suffrage.
How did you use this series in your classroom?
I began the lesson by explaining that the History Smashers series smashes the myths and untrue narratives surrounding history and social issues. As a class, we look at the covers of all the books and read the titles, so students could get an overview of what topics are covered in the series.
I introduced the books by using a document camera to show the newest book, Earth Day and the Environment. A passage was read aloud to showcase issues surrounding the use of DDT and Rachel Carson’s activism to bring attention to the problem.
These books are full of different text types and text features. It would be fun to have students do a scavenger hunt to identify the different types!
I can see using these books to supplement lessons in ELA, science, or social studies. They would also be perfect for inspiring students to do further research on historical figures and changemakers. The books are high-interest, so my students were asking to borrow them to read on their own.
What did your students say about History Smashers?
My students were immediately engaged. I asked them what they liked about the books, and they said they loved that it’s not just text on page after page. They appreciated the pictures, comic-book-style pages, yearbook pictures, and cool graphics. Many of my middle schoolers said they loved how the series smashes false information. It helped them see the nuances of history and to think critically about the history we are taught. Students liked how diverse everyone was throughout each book and felt they could see themselves represented. The kids also loved talking about unfairness and what justice means. They never realized that nonfiction could be so interesting.
How would you sum up your overall experience with History Smashers?
These books are extremely useful for teaching standards-based lessons in the classroom because their format is highly visual and engaging. Students even chose them for independent reading. Kids want to pick up these books and read them because they’re interested in learning about these topics. They love the format and the information. History Smashers books have ignited excitement for reading nonfiction with my students.
How easy was it to use and implement History Smashers in your classroom?
These books are very easy to use. After spending 5 to 10 minutes skimming the text, I identified three or four pages I wanted to read aloud to students. I used a document camera during the read aloud, so students could see the graphics. We read a portion about the use of DDT and how Rachel Carson worked to educate people on how it harmed animals and the environment. Kids were outraged when we read about how corporations who were only interested in profit, not about the environmental impact, tried to discredit Carson and her scientific work. The comic book format got this message across in a memorable way and made a big impact on the students’ learning.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how easy was it to use History Smashers in your classroom and/or lesson?
I would 5/5 recommend these books for purchase for a classroom or library. They are high quality and very engaging. It was very easy to introduce History Smashers in my class. After giving students a preview of the book and reading a few pages aloud, they were hooked. One student immediately said, “I want to read that!” Students were eager to claim the books they wanted, and we even created waiting lists for several of the titles.
What were the top two features you liked most about History Smashers?
The mixture of drawings/illustrations, primary sources, and comic sequences are very effective. I also really appreciate the effort to set the record straight and correct misconceptions on historical and social issues. As my students mentioned, we learned diverse and inclusive viewpoints from these books. We got to hear about contributions of men and women from different races and cultures. Broad representation means that every reader can see themselves in these stories and know they have the potential to change the world.
What makes History Smashers special or unique compared to other books you’ve used?
The highly visual format draws readers in. The books are comprehensive in scope but are not text-heavy.
The yearbook segment is a unique and interesting way to profile important people in a relatable way. Students are immediately drawn in. Several of my students mentioned really liking that feature.
Often when I read nonfiction books aimed at kids, I feel they include way more information than I need to know. Yes, there are some interesting facts, but there are also a lot of details that, for me, bog things down, and I start to lose interest. I feel that the History Smashers series hits the “sweet spot” of featuring interesting and relevant details without overwhelming the reader with too much information.
We have a waiting list for several of the books. Students are very excited about them!
Check out Amy’s video review of History Smashers here:
Teacher Picks is a sponsored program available from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.