Jewell-+Written+in+Bone



Walker, S.M. (2009). //Written in bone: Buried loves of Jamestown and colonial Maryland.// Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. **ISBN: 9780822571353**


 * Award:** YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults


 * Summary:** This nonfiction book uses images and information collected from an archaeological dig in Jamestown and colonial Maryland. In the book, scientists gather clues from different sets of bones to determine what type of lifestyle the person had and how they died. One coffin contained the remains of a small child and the scientists used the skull and jaw bones to determine the age and used the ribs to determine the cause of death. Though many of the techniques were difficult, the author explained them effectively and made them easy to understand.


 * What I liked:** I loved the pictures in the book because they were large and grabbed my attention immediately. The images definitely made reading the book more interesting because I had visuals to break up informational text. I thought the author did a nice job of balancing narrative text with informational text and academic terms so the book did not read like a text book.


 * Curriculum Connection: **
 * KY.9-10.R.I.SC.6** Students will demonstrate understanding of informational passages/texts: explain the purpose of text features in different types of informational texts (e.g.,periodicals, newspapers, online texts, public documents/public discourse, essays,editorials, textbooks, technical manuals/reports, Internet websites, electronic media)


 * KY.9-10.R.I.SC.1** Students will use comprehension strategies while reading, listening to, or viewing literary and informational texts.


 * Genre:** Nonfiction


 * Classroom Activity:** Strategy 20- Inquiry Charts

After reading this book, I immediately thought that it could generate enough interest for students to do additional research on Jamestown and Colonial Maryland in a social studies classroom. The inquiry chart would be a great way to have students complete structured research and ensure that they are comprehending the text. The teacher would have to create at least four questions (such as "How was could scientists determine what social class a person belonged to based on their remains?") to be answered through several sources, including the book. This type of assignment would be appropriate as an alternative to typical lectures. When using the inquiry chart, the teacher is helping students develop better research skills and showing them how to find specific information, but still allowing the students to discover the information on their own.