My Great-Aunt Arizona

I loved using this book for teaching sequencing and cause effect to my 4th graders!

I have been reading this book to my students for many years. We discuss that a biography can be about a famous persons a not-so-famous person. Arizona Houston Hughes was a not so famous person, but she made a difference in people's lives. This is a warm and loving memory of a grade school teacher who instilled a love of learning and of travel in her students. My classes and I love comparing the idea of a one room "blab" school with the school we have now. I have never had a student who did not love this book.

When I was young, I read this book over and over again until the pages have now all detached from the binding. The dreamy, adventurous girl in the story reminded me of myself, and her life story inspired me to become a teacher, too. Now, two years into my own career in teaching, this story still inspires me to equip my students with the ability to follow their own dreams and fulfill their own goals. This small, old-fashioned book has had a huge shaping force on my life.

Gloria Houston is an amazing writer of children’s literature. She has written several novels, and although this is a short story, it’s simplicity is the magic of its story. Wonderful children’s book.

True story and a good find for a great aunt to give as a gift. Although when the book arrived it was obviously used as someone had written in it. It was promptly replaced.

This is one of my six year-old's favorite books. We checked it out from the local library many times and then she found it in her school library. We finally decided to buy a copy for her.It is a very good story with nice illustrations. I enjoy reading it to her and she has started to read it to herself. I suspect that it will become one of my three year-old's favorites as well.

As someone currently in college to become an elementary education teacher, this story is amazing. It was shared with me by a teacher and I had to have it. It's a heartwarming story to not only share with your kids but also your students. Great for any age, not just kids!

As a teacher I wish to bring history alive and relatable.