Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin

I was disappointed by some of the other books the elementary school librarian suggested, so I looked for some more engaging books. Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin by Jessica Gunderson was one of the free gifts from the Agriculture in the Classroom presentation we had at the School of Education. This book, from the Graphic Library series published by Capstone Press, seems to be riding on the recent renewed interest in graphic novels among elementary and middle school students. Set up like a comic book, the book tells the story of the development of the cotton gin in the late 1700s. The book tells the interesting story about Whitney's attempt for a patent and the ensuing lawsuits. Much to my surprise, the book even talks about the cotton gin's effect on the proliferation of slavery throughout the southern United States.

The Graphic Library Series includes texts on a variety of important figures and historical events. There is even a Cesar Chavez book! This book and other books from the series can be an excellent companion to the study of history and can even be aligned with the Virginia Standard of Learning curriculum. According to the Capstone Press website, there are 32 books in the series and the series can be purchased for about $700, which makes it beyond my classroom budget, but perhaps not the school library's. (http://www.capstonepub.com/product/9780736865531#members)