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Oscar's American Dream

Author Barry Wittenstein

Illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell, Kevin Howdeshell

Hardcover

$17.99 US

RH Childrens Books | Schwartz & Wade

8.88"W x 11.38"H x 0.44"D | 17 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Oct 13, 2020 | 36 Pages | 9780525707691

Age 4-8 years

Reading Level: Lexile AD960L | Fountas & Pinnell S

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If you want to see 20th century American history unfold before your eyes, stand on a city street corner and watch it change! It all starts when an immigrant named Oscar opens a barber shop...

When Oscar lands on Ellis Island, he has only a suitcase and a down payment in his hands. And he has a dream-- to own his own barbershop. After it opens on the corner of Front St. and Second Ave, Oscar's barbershop becomes a beloved local fixture... until the day Oscar decides to move on and become a subway conductor. Over the years, this barbershop will change hands to become a lady's clothing store, then a soup kitchen. A coffee shop follows, then the space becomes an army recruitment center, then a candy shop. As the years pass and the world changes, the proud corner store stands tall, watching American history unfold around it. Barry Wittenstein and debut husband-and-wife illustration team Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell tell the rich, fascinating story of key moments in American history, as reflected through the eyes--and the patrons--of the corner store.

Barry Wittenstein is the author of Waiting for Pumpsie, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. His follow-up picture book, The Boo-Boos That Changed the World, also received a starred review from Kirkus and was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. His upcoming titles include Sonny's Bridge, illustrated by Keith Mallett and A Place to Land, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Barry resides in New York City. Visit him on the web at onedogwoof.com and follow him on Twitter at @bwittbooks.

Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell are a husband-and-wife-illustrator duo based in Kansas City. They have their own studio, The Brave Union, and have taken on the freelance world or illustration, working on projects for magazines, packaging, t-shirts, educational purposes, and now, children's books. Visit them on the web at thebraveunion.com and find them on Instagram @thebraveunion.

Barry Wittenstein View titles by Barry Wittenstein

Kristen Howdeshell View titles by Kristen Howdeshell

Kevin Howdeshell View titles by Kevin Howdeshell

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“An interesting fictional lens through which to view history.” —School Library Journal

Classroom Activities for Oscar's American Dream

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

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