Preface True stories one about a brave young Ohioan another telling how a former slave shared his wealth with his community and many others fill the pages of this reader They are but a few of the intriguing tales I discovered through years of Ohio research A narrative poem relies on memories from my own children’s childhood Another entry journals days of my summer vacations spent along the Lake Erie shore when I was young The list continues as I share my Ohio connection through short stories poems games and riddles The content of The Ohio Reader crosses many ages and grade levels just as the original McGuffey Readers written in Ohio by educator William McGuffey did during the 1800s The content also spans the history of Ohio from early statehood to current times I’ve tucked in timelines and facts but also a tip of my hat toward the merit of virtues that lead toward living in harmony within our homes schools communities and world iii
My hope is to help increase literacy and improve reading skills while providing useful and entertaining information I hope you parents teachers and young readers will enjoy sharing these pages Let them spark your creativity I encourage you to create activities and projects based on The Ohio Reader Have fun Best wishes for sunny days and bright ideas Marcia Schonberg These stories are for my young Ohio readers ones I’ve met or hope to meet And to Bill Adam David Lisa Jeff Joey and Brandon for all the stories we share marcia For Marge & Jim Mitts kate iv
Table of Contents PAGE An Ohio Pledge 1 Who Am I 2 Marblehead Lighthouse 6 Apple Trees 12 Grandma’s Kitchen 15 Healthy Choices 21 Summer Vacation Postcards 22 An Ohio Timeline 26 An Ohio Riddle 30 The Great Seal of Ohio 31 One Clue at a Time 33 Here a Chick There a Chick 35 Trillium 39 The Youngest Soldier in the Union Army 41 Mr Meant-to 52 Kindness in a Flour Sack 57 The Bald Eagle 63 Some Ohio Symbols 68 More Ohio Symbols 72 Elijah Pierce and His Pocketknife 75 Knife Safety 80 Meeting More Ohio Artists 83 Who’s an Optimist 88 v
