Imogene's+Last+Stand+(Kriz)

Created by Sandra Kriz

Retrieved July 17, 2011 from amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Imogenes-Last-Stand-Candace-Fleming/dp/0375836071

Fleming, C. (2009). //Imogene's last stand.// New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Summary
Passionate about history, a young girl named Imogene Tripp makes a stand to try and save the town's historical society from being demolished to make way for a shoelace factory that is supposed to put the the town on the map. The book is filled with famous quotes from historical figures such as Abe Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chief Joseph, William Morris and many others.

Online Links

 * Candace Fleming's site for the book, including a link to a teacher's guide: ** http://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_imogn.html
 * The William Morris Society in the United States: ** http://www.morrissociety.org/
 * Information on the illustrator, Nancy Carpenter: ** http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/carpenter.html
 * Anita Silvey's Children's Book A Day Almanac: **http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2011/05/imogenes-last-stand/

Discussion Questions
1. Imogene was steadfast in her belief to save the historical society. At what point does someone cross the line from being a patriot to being an overzealous fanatic? Defend your answer. 2. All of history cannot be saved. How should it be decided what relics, buildings, papers, pictures, etc. should be saved and what should be discarded or destroyed? Devise a system for making these decisions. How are these decisions made in your town, city, country or world? 3. How might the story end if Imogene had not found the letter from George Washington?

Classroom Activity Connected to the Book
The Hero in us all (Approximate Grade level: Second) 1. Read the book “Imogene’s Last Stand” and point out everyday people in the book and the things they do that make them a hero to someone. For instance, the police officer who keeps the city safe, the mother or father caring for a child, people who build things, people who go to work every day, etc. 2. Have the children think of times in their own lives when they helped someone. Bring in an empty 8" x 10" or larger picture frame. Remove the glass and backing. Seat children in a circle and pass the frame around. Encourage each student to hold the frame around their face and describe a time when they were a hero for helping or doing a good deed. For example, I am helpful when I get ready for bed without being asked”, "I was helpful when I explained to the new student what to do when the fire alarm rang", or "I was helpful when I let the teacher know there was a mess in the restroom." Once everyone has had a turn, have classmates describe helpful qualities about each other. 3. Have the children write, draw a picture, or cut pictures out of magazines showing things they may want to do someday to be helpful in their community.