The first historians were storytellers. They told the history of their village or town or kingdom from memory. Musicians often accompanied them on stringed instruments. Together the words and music told of adventures and conflicts, of glory and troubles, of failures and triumphs. And the audience of learners listened—entertained and inspired.

Today history is often presented as an assembly line of facts and skills. Information is offered without the music of a story.

Also lost in this mass of facts and skills are the people whose lives built our nation’s history. People of all kinds and colors—African Americans, Hispanics, women, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and many others—are missing from our history.

Steck-Vaughn Stories of America returns people and the storyteller’s music to history. It offers a rich portrait of the diversity of peoples who have made our national saga unique among the histories of the world.

So read Stories of America and listen to the music of your history and witness the sights, sounds, smells, and life of your past.

Alex Haley, author of Roots, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and Queen, died on February 10, 1992. At the time of his death, Mr. Haley was general editor of the 28 books in this series, Stories of America. The education of children was a cause to which he was firmly and enthusiastically committed. This series represents part of Alex Haley’s legacy to the children of America. ~ The Editors.

The stories in the Steck-Vaughn Stories of America series are grouped into thematic collections titled: Holidays, Working Together, Against All Odds, Stand Up and Be Counted, and Personal Challenge.

As students read the stories in this collection, they will discover important people and events that contributed to the varied cultures and celebrations in the United States. These easy-to-read stories relate the origins of six major holidays through the lives of those who organized or inspired them. Here are the six titles in this collection:

Each story in this collection includes detailed accounts of determined individuals working together to make positive changes in their communities. Here are the five titles in this collection:

Students reading these stories will relive the setbacks, triumphs, and tragedies of people who dared to take enormous risks as they faced overwhelming challenges. Here are the five titles in this collection:

Each story in this collection highlights the exceptional acts of people involved in the key political and social changes that helped shaped the development of the United States. Here are the six titles in this collection:

The stories in this collection portray the challenges and triumphs of individuals who have struggled to live by their convictions and to make a place for themselves in the world. Here are the six titles in this collection:

Experience The Vision of Alex Haley • Visit The Alex Haley Museum • The Alex Haley Memorial • Haley Heritage Square

Darren@nypoet.com