Books in The Best American Series ® series

In many of California's cities, the buildings of former Spanish missions are still standing. The history of the Spanish mission era in California was relatively short. When Spanish priests attempted to establish missions in California during the mid-18th century, their goal was to covert the native people of the region to Christianity. The Spaniards had no idea of the troubles ahead. They faced bad weather, shortages of food and other supplies, and culture clashes with the native tribes. Though the intent of the missions was honorable, many of the methods used to convert the Native Americans were horrible and violent. Although the mission era ended by the 1820s, much can be learned from the history of the California missions.

"SNAKE...and Amy-Tsosie" is intended as a teacher/student learning tool and historical reference guide. Synopsis of Book: Over ten thousand years ago, people crossed the Bering Strait into North America. These wanderers moved in search of the animals they needed for food. They traveled in all directions in this new land. It took many generations to find a place to settle. The "People" settled in the Arizona deserts and the southwest. Early Spanish explorers named them the Navajo. Spaniards imported horses, sheep, and goats form Spain. The Navajo made these animals an important part of their life. The Navajo Reservation covers over 17 million acres. Much of the land is used for herding sheep. The reservation is home for more than 200,000 people. They make beautiful jewelry, woven rugs, sand paintings and other works of art. The Navajo word "hozho" is a word that brings together many ideas. With "hozho", the Navajo have harmony, happiness, goodness and beauty. Navajo believe the world is full of evil power as well as good. Evil might come in the form of a snake, a ghost, a coyote, or owl. Contact with an evil or dangerous power could disturb harmony and well being. These possible evil elements must be controlled. In a ceremony, or ritual, good is attracted and evil is driven away. "SNAKE...and Amy-Tsosie" is a true story of a little girl who lived long ago. Her people lived in Monument Valley.

History comes alive for eight-to-twelve year olds in this close-up, multi-generational story of a fictional family spanning three centuries of actual historical events. God's hand is seen at work in people's lives and in the events that shaped our nation. This set includes: (#1) The Mayflower Adventure; (#2) Plymouth Pioneers; (#3) Dream Seekers; (#4) Fire by Night; (#5) Queen Anne's War; (#6) Danger in the Harbor; (#7) Smallpox Strikes; (#8) Maggie's Choice; (#9) Boston Revolts; (#10) The Boston Massacre.