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How to Use I Survived to Teach History Throughout the Year

These thrilling stories of survival will capture the hearts and minds of your young readers.

By Scholastic Editors
June 6, 2022

City-ravaging fires. Seemingly never-ending blizzards. Lava-spewing volcanoes. With the immensely popular I Survived series, there’s a story to capture the attention of every student.

History is far more relatable to students when it's told through the eyes of characters their age. With this extraordinary series, there is a catastrophic tale — and important lesson — to learn every season of the year.

Thrilling reads will captivate students and encourage them to learn more about the subject. A great way to introduce important historic events or time periods to your students, these four books will thrill your young readers with each turn of the page.   

Check out all of the gripping books from the I Survived series.

Fall: I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

It may be difficult for your students to imagine an entire city like Chicago burning to the ground, but in this harrowing story about a young boy’s struggle to survive one the most infamous fires in American history, they will.

After reading, ask students to research contemporary natural disasters and write not only about the toll they take on communities, but also how they bring people together to rebuild and overcome the destruction.

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Winter: I Survived the Children's Blizzard, 1888

Reading this terrifying tale, your students will become engrossed in the story of 11-year-old John Hale, who overcomes the peril and struggle of being lost in the blinding snow to survive one of the deadliest blizzards in American history.

To inspire a lively class discussion after reading, encourage students to reflect on John’s story and consider what they would do if they ever found themselves lost in a blizzard and how they would feel once they reached safety.

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Spring: I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

Your students will be awestruck by this frightening account of a young girl forced to escape clouds of poisonous gas, boiling rivers, and landslides of rock, ice, and debris as Mount St. Helens erupts with fury.

After reading, ask students to consider what they would do if a volcano erupted and lava began flowing through the streets of their town. What would they do to survive? 

Summer: I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863

This American Civil War story is perfect for summer reading and keeping your students engaged outside of school, too. They’ll be fascinated by the story of Thomas, a young slave from South Carolina who escapes the south and slavery through the Underground Railroad, only to find himself in the midst of one of the most harrowing and famous battles of the Civil War.

To further engage students, encourage them to research other young slaves who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad and reflect on the experiences and the struggles they had to overcome to achieve freedom.

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Shop all I Survived books below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.

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During the infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius, one boy struggles to escape. Can he survive the most devastating disaster of ancient times?

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The battlefield was soaked in blood. Screams of injured soldiers rang through the air. Eleven-year-old Nathaniel Knox knelt behind a rock, his gun clutched in his shaking hands.

 

Nate had been heading to New York City to find his father. But now he was trapped in a terrible gunfight between American and British troops.

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True, this glittering city was prone to flooding. But just a few years before, a weather forecaster had said the idea of a hurricane striking Galveston was absurd.

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Ten-year-old Leo loves being a newsboy in San Francisco. Not only does he get to make some money to help his family, he's free to explore the amazing city as it changes and grows with the new century. In 1906, horse-drawn carriages share the streets with shiny new automobiles, new businesses and families are moving in every day from everywhere, and anything seems possible. But one minute changes everything.

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Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck: He and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their aunt Daisy.

 

The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever.

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In the summer of 1916, ten year-old Chet Roscow is captivated by the local news: a Great White shark has been attacking and killing people up and down the Atlantic Coast, not far from Chet's hometown of Springfield, New Jersey.

 

Then one day, swimming with his friends, Chet sees something in the water...

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History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these stories of amazing kids and how they survived.

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In May of 1937, the Hindenburg, a massive German airship, caught fire while attempting to land in New Jersey, killing 35 people.

 

Lauren Tarshis's latest thrilling addition to the New York Times bestselling 'I Survived' series, features an 11-year-old boy in the middle of this historic disaster.

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Eleven-year-old Danny Crane is alone on his favorite beach in Hawaii when the world is torn apart and World War II officially hits the United States. Does he have what it takes to find his way home in the midst of the bombs, the smoke, and the destruction of the day that will live in infamy?

Paperback Book

I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (#9)

Grades 4 - 6
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In one of the darkest periods in history, one boy struggles to survive...

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The battle of D-Day, one of history's most exciting and terrifying events, comes to life in this amazing story of survival.

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History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these stories of amazing kids and how they survived.

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Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes - and nothing will ever be the same again.

Paperback Book

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 (#3)

Grades 4 - 6
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The horror of Hurricane Katrina is brought vividly to life in this fictional account of a boy, a dog, and the storm of the century.

 

Barry's family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans. But when Barry's little sister gets terribly sick, they're forced to stay home and wait out the storm.

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Dex certainly knows how deadly tornadoes can be, but this one isn't heading toward Joplin, and wouldn't it be great to have a brave and exciting story of his own to tell Jeremy when he comes home?

 

But when the tornado shifts direction, Dexter's bravery is about to get seriously tested...

Paperback Book

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

Grades 4 - 6
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Visiting his dad's hometown in Japan four months after his father's death would be hard enough for Ben. But one morning the pain turns to fear: first, a massive earthquake rocks the quiet coastal village, nearly toppling his uncle's house. Then the ocean waters rise and Ben and his family are swept away and pulled apart by a terrible tsunami.

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History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these stories of amazing kids and how they survived.

Graphic Novels

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History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these stories of amazing kids and how they survived.

 Chet's summer is interrupted by shocking news. A great white shark has been attacking swimmers along the Jersey shore, not far from Elm Hills. Everyone in town is talking about it.

 

So when Chet sees something in the creek, he's sure it's his imagination... until he comes face-to-face with a bloodthirsty shark!

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It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes -- and nothing will ever be the same again.

True Stories 

Hardcover Book

I Survived: Five Epic Disasters

Grades 4 - 5
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The New York Times-bestselling I Survived series expands to include this thrilling nonfiction exploration of five true stories of survival from some of history's greatest disasters. Stories include "The Children's Blizzard, 1888"; "The Titanic Disaster, 1912"; "The Great Boston Molasses Flood, 1919"; "The Japanese Tsunami, 2011"; and "The Henryville Tornado, 2012."

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The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 was the deadliest tornado strike in American history, tearing through three states and killing 700 people. Almost a century later, the Joplin Tornado was a mile-wide monster that nearly destroyed the heart of a vibrant city. The author of the New York Times best-selling I Survived series now brings you the vivid and true stories of two young people who survived these terrifying twisters, along with fascinating facts about tornadoes and profiles of the well-respected scientists and storm chasers who study them.

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ANIMALS. SURVIVORS. HEROES. The author of the New York Times bestselling I Survived series shares four thrilling true stories of animals who have faced disaster-and come through. You'll meet courageous animals and also inspiring humans who show how we can help protect the creatures who share our precious Earth.

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