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# Nancy Noyes Silcox Books

History through stories inspired by primary sources

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [New Ulm Journal article following my author talk at Turner Hall](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2026/02/new-ulm-journal-article-following-my-author-talk-at-turner-hall/) - Exploring ‘emotional truth’ _ News, Sports, Jobs -_260228_113916 (1) Follow this link to the article Amy Zents wrote about my author talk at Turner Hall about A Place Called Home and my new book, More Than a Servant: Sigrid's Story. It got front page placement in the New Ulm Journal.
- [Northfield, MN Winter Walk](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2025/12/northfield-mn-winter-walk/) - Get a jump on holiday fun at Northfield, MN Winter Walk on Thursday, December 11th from 4:30-9. Come for the horse-drawn wagon rides, a visit with Santa, Bridge Square lights, music, and , and of course, SHOPPING. I'll be selling my books in the cozy Armory with a lot of other vendors. Books make great
- [Samuel Wilbert Tucker added to Virginia History Curriculum](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/11/samuel-wilbert-tucker-added-to-virginia-history-curriculum/) - The 2023 revision of the Virginia Studies Curriculum added Samuel Wilbert Tucker to the Virginia Studies curriculum that all 4th graders study. Tucker, a young Alexandria lawyer, organized the 1939 sit-in at the Alexandria Library to challenge their segregation-era policy of only allowing white people to use the public library. He coached the protesters in
- [Henderson, MN Library Author Talk Praised](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/11/henderson-mn-library-author-talk-praised/) - Beth Cornish's article in the Henderson Independent News (Sept 20, 2024) praised Nancy's author talk at the Henderson Public Library. https://www.hendersonindependentnews.com/arts_and_entertainment/nancy-noyes-silcox-presents-a-place-called-home/article_664b1e5c-7635-11ef-b4b0-3b2da661efca.html
- [Nancy Noyes Silcox Interview about Samuel Tucker](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2025/07/nancy-noyes-silcox-interview-about-samuel-tucker/)
- [SELCO's Minnesota Author Tour 2025](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2025/03/selcos-minnesota-author-tour-2025/) - Nancy Noyes Silcox has been selected to participate in the Minnesota Author Tour sponsored by the Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO). Public libraries in southeastern Minnesota invite vetted Minnesota authors to speak about their work. Visit the Minnesota Author Tour website for details to schedule an author visit. https://legacy.selco.info/minnesota-author-tour
- [Rosemont Writers Festival and Book Fair](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2025/03/rosemont-writers-festival-and-book-fair/) - Hope to see you at the Rosemont Writers Festival and Book Fair on Saturday, March 15th. I'll be there with A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm Minnesota 1856-1862 and Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in. The
- [Northfield History Center Invitation](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2025/06/northfield-history-center-invitation/) - August 4, 2025, I'll be talking about Samuel Wilbert Tucker and America's first civil rights sit-in from 5:30-7:00 pm. Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in will be available for sale and signing.
- [Author Talk at New Ulm Public Library](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/11/author-talk-at-new-ulm-public-library/)
- [Eat Local, Read Local Festival & Book Sale](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/09/eat-local-read-local-festival-book-sale/) - Saturday, October 7th, 11-4 pm. Cascades Library 21030 Whitfield Pl, Potomac Falls, VA 20165 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in reading by Nancy Noyes Silcox EatLocalReadLocal_Flyer SATURDAY, OCT. 7 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. Held outdoors rain or shine. library.loudoun.gov Our second annual festival features food trucks, live music, 14 storytimes, raffles and more than 50 local
- [Forgotten Soldiers from the Empire](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/09/forgotten-soldiers-from-the-empire/) - The Black History Museum of Alexandria premiered this documentary film about black African soldiers who fought in WWII with the Allied Forces. Filmmaker Matt Spangler used interviews, animation and historical film footage to tell the stories of black soldiers from English-speaking countries who faced discrimination while fighting for other's freedoms in North Africa and Europe.
- [Sit Down for Justice at the Library](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/01/sit-down-for-justice-at-the-library/) - First graders and Nancy Noyes Silcox after they listened to and critiqued manuscript for a new narrative nonfiction picture book manuscript about the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in. Sit Down for Justice at the Library is being sent to possible publishers now.
- [Hampton City Schools reports on Silcox author visit](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/06/hampton-city-schools-reports-on-silcox-author-visit/) - Check out this news release about my visit to Davis Middle School in Hampton, VA. The accompanying photo shows students with the Lego Wall to demonstrate their understanding of violent and nonviolent protests. It was a wonderful opportunity for learning. http://www.hampton.k12.va.us/news/2018April/DavisAuthor.html
- [Planting Seeds Across Curricula](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/11/648/) - Congratulations to Davis (Hampton, VA) Middle School teacher Rachelle Chambers and Librarian Nancy Terrell for their article "Planting Seeds Across Curricula" that was published in the October 2018 issue of Teacher Librarian. The collaborative U.S. history unit ended with my visit to share my journey writing Samuel Tucker's biography. I'm invited back again this year!
- [Alexandria Public Library Author Talk, Dec 9, 2019](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2020/01/702/) - On a rainy night, a lively crowd heard about the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in and Samuel Wilbert Tucker's work to challenge discrimination and school segregation through the courts.
- [US-Dakota War of 1862](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2020/11/us-dakota-war-of-1862/) - Growing up in New Ulm, Minnesota, I didn't learn much about the war on the prairie in 1862. New Ulm was one of the places attacked by Dakota warriors. That's really the only fact I knew. When a chance comment got my curiosity activated, I began searching for sources to learn more. There are
- [Samuel W. Tucker Curriculum Materials](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2023/12/samuel-w-tucker-curriculum-materials/) - People with information about the Alexandria Library Sit-in that Samuel W. Tucker organized in 1939 and Tucker's legacy were interviewed by New America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. Tucker was included in the 2023 Virginia Standards of Learning (learning objectives) as one of the famous Virginians students will study. In addition to the interviews, New
- [Minnesota Education Association Conference Oct 17th](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/09/minnesota-education-association-conference-oct-17th/) - Hook Students on Minnesota History will feature Nancy Noyes Silcox's new book A Place Called Home about German Immigrants from Cincinnati who seek security, opportunity and freedom in New Ulm, a new settlement on the Minnesota frontier. MEA 2024 is Oct. 17th at Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102, USA
- [A Place Called Home at Twin Cities Book Festival Oct. 19th](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/09/twin-cities-book-festival-oct-19th/) - Meet the author, Nancy Noyes Silcox, and hear about A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm, Minnesota 1856-1862. It's the story of young Carolina Beck and her family who are driven from Cincinnati, Ohio, by rising hostilities toward immigrants. They travel by steamboat to New Ulm, Minnesota,
- [A Place Called Home Release Date](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/06/a-place-called-home-release-date/) - On August 24, 2024, the Brown County Historical Society in New Ulm, Minnesota, will host an author talk and book signing for A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm, Minnesota 1856-1862. The event begins at 12 noon in the museum annex and is one of the events
- [Author Talk at 50 North, Northfield, MN  June 21, 2024](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/06/author-talk-at-50-north-northfield-mn-june-21-2024/) - 50 North, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield MN 55057 Refused a library card at the public library, twenty-six-year-old African American lawyer Samuel W. Tucker organized a sit-in to protest the library’s whites-only policy in 1939. He defended the protesters when they were arrested for disorderly conduct. Facing down Virginia’s “massive resistance” to school desegregation after the
- [Nancy Noyes Silcox Interview about Samuel W. Tucker](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2024/05/nancy-noyes-silcox-interview-about-samuel-w-tucker/) - New America is a liberal think tank that focuses on public policy issues. They are developing online curriculum to help students learn about Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in. As a part of their work, they interviewed several people connected with this story. Here is the link to my interview. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/writing-a-biography-of-the-lawyer-behind-the-library-sit-in-of-1939/
- [The Power of One: Active Engagement for Social Justice](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/03/the-power-of-one/) - People who act for social justice inspire us to search for our own power to face adversity, challenge what we know is wrong, and fight for justice and equal opportunity for all. The five young African American men and Samuel Wilbert Tucker who challenged the policy of a segregated Alexandria Public Library in 1939 are
- [A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinatti, OH to New Ulm, MN 1856-1862](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2022/01/caroline-becks-diary/) - Caroline has been living in Cincinnati since she moved there with her family in 1849. Now in 1856, Papa and Mama share the "exciting news" that they will be moving to New Ulm, Minnesota the next spring. Free thinking Turnverien members in Cincinnati joined with a group of German immigrants from Chicago to create a
- [A Place Called Home:  German Immigrant in Minnesota 1856-1862](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2021/11/diary-of-caroline-beck-new-ulm-settler-minnesota-1856-1865/) - Follow the story of the fictional Beck family as they move from Cincinnati, Ohio to the new western frontier town of New Ulm, Minnesota in 1857. As they learn to live in a new place that the indigenous Dakota also call home, they experience the challenges of building a house, growing a garden, hunting and
- [Tucker Talk at Zion Baptist Church, Feb. 12, 2023](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2023/02/tucker-talk-at-zion-baptist-church-feb-12-2023/) - Telling Samuel Wilbert Tucker's story in the Alexandria, VA church his family attended and where he played the piano, was especially meaningful for me. I was thrilled to be invited and pleased so many people, including neighbors, wanted to know more about Tucker and his work to desegregate public libraries and public schools. The sit-in
- [50 North Senior Center Author Talk](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2022/02/50-north-senior-center-author-talk/) - March 26, 2022 I'll be talking about Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in. Included are highlights of the sit-in and Tucker's fifty year legal career arguing school desegregation cases and fighting for fairness, equality and justice.
- [Author Talk at Arlington Central Library, Feb 26th, 7pm](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2020/02/author-talk-at-arlington-central-library-feb-26th-7pm/) - The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In. The earliest known sit-in for civil rights occurred at the Alexandria (Virginia) Public Library on August 21, 1939. In Samuel Wilbert Tucker, Nancy Silcox charts the story of a young African American lawyer who grew up in Alexandria in a family that believed
- [80th Anniversary 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in Author Talk Dec 9th](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2019/12/80th-anniversary-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/) - Excited to talk about Samuel Wilbert Tucker's life, the library sit-in and my research journey to tell the story at Alexandria's Beatley Library on Dec. 9th at 7 pm.
- [80th Anniversary of 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2019/09/80th-anniversary-of-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/) - The Alexandria Gazette highlights the Alexandria Library's 80th anniversary event that recognized the family of youngest sit-in protester, William "Buddy" Evans. The family helped the library create READ posters that will hang in all the branches to remind us that 80 years ago the young protesters courageously challenged a system that segregated people by the color
- [Tarrant Middle School (Hampton, VA) Change Makers](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2019/04/tarrant-middle-school-hampton-va-change-makers/) - Meeting with Tarrant's 7th graders April 22nd to close their research unit on change makers. They read the biography I wrote about Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in and researched other people who have made a difference in their communities. During my presentation we'll explore these questions: Who are change makers? What are the
- [VASSL & VCSSE Conferences](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/12/vassl-vcsse-conferences/) - Linda Mitchell and I shared "Recommended Reading by Virginia Librarians for MG Social Studies" with school librarians and social studies teachers at the two conferences in November. Besides learning about fiction and nonfiction books that will extend history beyond the textbook, these books provide windows and mirrors to events and people that historically have received
- [Minnesota 7th graders Learn About 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/11/minnesota-7th-graders-learn-about-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/) - Following my presentation about the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in, 175 7th graders at New Ulm (MN) Middle School asked wide-ranging and thoughtful questions. They asked about what motivated Samuel Tucker to organize the sit-in and thought about what they could do to make a difference in their world.
- [Doing Justice to Ida B. Wells](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/06/doing-justice-to-ida-b-wells/) - As an African American woman, Ida B. Wells was an activist journalist challenging racism and sexism in the early 1890s whose work has largely been unrecognized. This crusader for justice will be honored with a monument in Chicago where she lived and worked after her presses were destroyed in Memphis because of her anti-lynching editorials.
- [Davis Middle School Return Visit](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/04/davis-middle-school-return-visit/) - April 19, 2018 I returned to speak with 7th graders at Davis Middle School in Hampton, Virginia. They read Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in. Then they researched violent and nonviolent protests, created posters about people who made a difference in their world, and created a
- [Teaching with Primary Sources: Free Training Opportunity](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/04/608/) - Primary Sources + Strategies = Success for All Students Special Education, ELL, and Team Teachers Grades 4-12, all subjectsJoin us for a Free Workshop from the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources programApril 19, 2018 - 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.UVA Northern Virginia Center, Room 214 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church Explore primary source
- [Landsdowne Woods' Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2018/04/landsdowne-woods-martin-luther-king-jr-day-program/) - Thank you, Charles Perry, for sending this letter to me after hearing my presentation. I hope sharing this story helps it take its historic place in American history. Your recent presentation at Lansdowne Woods on the life of Mr. Samuel Wilbert Tucker, a history unknown to me, and his signature involvement in the 1939 Alexandria
- [AASL Collaboration Beyond the Horizon](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/11/aasl-collaboration-beyond-the-horizon/) - Our "Collaborate for Powerful Teaching and Learning in History and Language Arts" session drew attendees from around the country at the Phoenix conference for school librarians. They learned how Virginia teachers and librarians are working together to provide engaging learning opportunities for students. They tried out strategies of "zoom-in inquiry" and "question formulation technique." For
- [Titlewave carries Samuel Wilbert Tucker](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/11/titlewave-carries-samuel-wilbert-tucker/) - Follett Library Resources' Titlewave now carries Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in. Place your order at http://www.titlewave.com along with your other book orders. For autographed copies and class sets, email noysilbooks@gmail.com
- [Author Talk Sept 30th](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/09/519/) - Excited to be doing an author talk at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia on Sept 30, 2-4 pm. I'll be talking about the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in and sharing stories from my research journey. http://blackhistorymuseum.org/event/author-talk-book-signing-by-nancy-noyes-silcox/
- [Black History Museum of Virginia Audience Engaged](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/10/black-history-museum-of-virginia-audience-engaged/) - Reading from 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in chapter of Samuel Wilbert Tucker's biography during Author Talk event in Richmond September 30th. Listening to Tucker's law partner SenatorHenry Marsh share his stories. Thank you Adele Johnson and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia for hosting an event that gives voice to unsung heroes in
- [Eat Local Read Local Festival Cascades Public Library](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/10/eat-local-read-local-festival-cascades-public-library/) - Enthusiastic crowd, beautiful weather, tasty food and great books, authors and illustrators combined for a memorable event October 7th. A former Tucker Elementary School family were happy to see Tucker's biography and shared their memories.
- [Refused a Library Card Book Pairings](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/06/refused-a-library-card-book-pairings/) - Matthew Hayes, librarian at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, pairs the sit-in chapter in Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in with Ron's Big Mission (Dutton, 2009) by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden, which tells how Challenger astronaut Ron McNair as a young
- [Alexandria Library Sit-in a First](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/06/alexandria-library-sit-in-a-first/) - American Libraries, a journal of the American Library Association, listed the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in first in its timeline of sit-ins at segregated public libraries. The sit-in, organized by Samuel Wilbert Tucker, was carried out by five courageous young American American men. The next sit-in didn't happen until 1960. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/06/01/i-always-will-refuse-civil-rights-library-sit-in/ Alexandria (VA) Library, August
- [Alexandria Library Sit-in News Again](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/02/alexandria-library-sit-in-news-again/) - Alexandria is Site of Early Civil Rights Sit-in was a story NBC Channel 4 in Washington DC did on February 6, 2017 about the peaceful public library protest that happened 21 years before the lunch counter sit-ins of the 1960s. This is the link on their website: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Unsung-Civil-Rights-Hero-Comes-To-Light_Washington-DC-412947913.html A transcript of the story is also on the NBC Channel 4
- [Alexandria Library Sit-in at the Virginia Council for Social Studies Educators' Conference](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/06/alexandria-library-sit-in-at-the-virginia-council-for-social-studies-educators-conference/) - Nancy Noyes Silcox, author of Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in, and Linda J. Mitchell, Librarian at Stonewall Middle School in Manassas, Virginia will present "Collaborate for Powerful Teaching and Learning" at the VCSSE conference in Richmond, November 3-4, 2017. They will share how teachers
- [Alexandria Library Sit-in Goes National](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/04/alexandria-library-sit-in-goes-national/) - The American Association of School Librarians has accepted our presentation on how teachers and librarians in Virginia have collaborated to include historic little-known events in history and language arts instruction. AASL's national conference will be in Phoenix in November 2017. Linda Mitchell, librarian at Stonewall Middle School in Manassas, VA, and I will repeat a version of the
- [National Library Week at Davis MS, Hampton VA](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/04/national-library-week-at-davis-ms-hampton-va/) - After 7th graders read Samuel Wilbert Tucker's biography and learned about other people who overcame adversity, I spent a wonderful day with them talking about lessons learned from Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library protesters who simply wanted to borrow books from their public library. We talked about courage, persistence, and seeing and solving problems. Their Lego
- [Meeting Bryan Collier at SCBWI](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/02/meeting-bryan-collier-at-scbwi/) - Bryan Collier shared Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me in his opening keynote. It's a compelling story of coping with loss and surviving. Bryan gave a shoutout to teachers and librarians who try to fill the holes some kids live with every day. Bryan was the lunch speaker at the VAASL (VEMA) conference I chaired in Williamsburg
- [SCBWI Conference in New York](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/02/scbwi-conference/) - My first conference of children's book writers and illustrators was everything I'd hoped for. What a fabulous opportunity to learn from people who know about creating and publishing books for young readers. It's not only a day and a half of intense submersion in literary pool, but a chance to connect with like-minded people who are passionate
- [Davis Middle School Visit](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/02/davis-middle-school-visit/) - April 10, 2017 I'll be visiting 7th graders at Davis Middle School in Hampton, VA. Librarian Nancy Terrell and Davis teachers are using Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in for the third year in their study of violent and nonviolent protests and the power to overcome adversity.
- [Davis Students Read Tucker Biography](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/2017/03/davis-students-read-tucker-bio/) - Jefferson Davis Middle School 7th graders in Hampton, VA reading Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in for their unit The Power of One: Overcoming Adversity

## Pages

- [Welcome to Primary Source History](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/) - In my research and writing, I use primary sources to help readers make empathetic connections to people who made American history, which helps to see beyond historical events and dates to the people who lived in those times and places. When people put themselves in historical contexts, they see how they might have acted then
- [Nancy's Schedule](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/about-nancy/nancys-schedule/) - May 21, 2026 Robert Trail Library, Rosemount, MN. Author talk, sales and signing. May 7, 2026 Sons of Norway Hall, Lanesboro, MN Author talk, sales and signing. March 14, 2026 Rosemount Writers Festival and Book Fair. Book sale and signing. November 22, 2025 Fifty North Holiday Craft & Book Sale, 9 am- 1pm October
- [What's Nancy working on now?](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/about-nancy/whats-nancy-working-on-next/) - Currently Nancy's working on the manuscript for More Than a Servant: Sigrid's Story. It's a biography of her Swedish grandmother who immigrated in 1898 and worked as a domestic servant for a wealthy family in Superior, Wisconsin. Their home, Fairlawn, is now a museum offering tours to visitors. After working at Fairlawn for six years,
- [Author Visits & Presentation Topics](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/author-visits/) - I love to visit schools and libraries to share what I've learned about historical events, the people involved and my research and writing process. Researching and writing is a little like going on a treasure hunt and then putting the pieces of the puzzle together. You try out different facts until you find what you can verify fits together.
- [Reviews & Publicity](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/reviews-publicity/) - People are talking about Nancy's books on TV, radio, websites and in newspapers. Click on the links for reviews, articles and interviews.
- [A Place Called Home:   The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm, Minnesota 1856-1862](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/the-diary-of-caroline-beck-german-immigrant-minnesota-1856-1863/) - Follow the story of the fictional Beck family as they travel by steamboat from Cincinnati, Ohio to the new western frontier settlement of New Ulm, Minnesota in 1857.They and their neighbors face unexpected challenges. Constructing a house, growing a garden, hunting and fishing for food, and building a community while surviving sickness, prairie fires, weather
- [Pricing](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/pricing/) - A Place Called Home email prairiehillsbooks@gmail.com Single copies: $20 plus shipping Discounts available for class sets, email prairiehillsbooks@gmail.com Samuel Wilbert Tucker email noysilbooks@gmail.com Single copies $20 (hardback) $15 (paperback) plus shipping Discounts available for class sets, email noysilbooks@gmail.com School Visits & Author Talks: To schedule school visits, author talks, book club discussions, email noysilbooks@gmail.com
- [About Nancy](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/about-nancy/) - Nancy Noyes Silcox is a librarian who became an author unexpectedly. She was the first librarian at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. There she learned how this young, African American lawyer organized a sit-in at the Alexandria Library Public Library in 1939 to challenge the library's "whites only" policy. She knew someone needed to tell
- [Welcome to Primary Source History](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/welcome-to-primary-source-history-for-young-learners/) - In my research and writing, I use primary sources to help young learners make empathetic connections to people who made American history. When kids put themselves in historical contexts, they see how they might have acted then and be able to make a difference in their world today. I gather information through letters, journals, newspaper articles,
- [Primary Source History](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/primary-source-history/) - August 21, 1939 Little-known stories of people and events are part of America's story. Through my books I want tell these stories to help readers fully understand the interconnected web of America's rich and complicated history. Information in my books comes from primary sources. They are written or told by "eye-witnesses," people who actually experienced something themselves or saw something happened, described it
- [Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the Sit-in Articles](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/articles/) - "Planting Seeds Across Curricula" by Davis (Hampton, VA) Middle School Teacher Rachelle Chambers and Librarian Nancy Terrell was published in the October 2018 issue of Teacher Librarian. It details their collaboration on a 7th grade U.S. history unit which began with students reading "Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria
- [A Place Called Home: Reviews & Articles](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/a-place-called-home-reviews-articles/) - Curt Brown's column in the Minneapolis StarTribune on September 8, 2024 featured Jacob Castor, the New Ulm baker who was killed by "friendly fire" during the U.S. Dakota War. The column mentions A Place Called Home and how his decision to bring bread to hungry defenders led to unpredictable and unfortunate consequences. https://www.startribune.com/a-new-ulm-baker-wearing-a-blanket-fell-to-friendly-fire-162-years-ago-in-the-us-dakota-war/601140258 Dan Groebner's
- [A Place Called Home: Questions to Dig Deeper](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources-2/questions-to-dig-deeper/) - What, where, and when questions can be answered by finding facts through research. How and why questions lead to greater learning about reasons, motivations, and outcomes behind the facts. They encourage a deeper understanding of why what happened in the past is important today. Try these questions to start conversations. Why are immigrants pushed away
- [Home](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/home/)
- [A Place Called Home: Activities](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources-2/a-place-called-home-activities/) - Visit either in person or on line. Lower Sioux Agency, Morton, MN https://www.mnhs.org/lowersioux Brown County Historical Society, New Ulm, MN https://www.browncountyhistorymn.org/ Minnesota Historical Society https://www.usdakotawar.org/ Try one of the recipes in the "To Learn More" section to get a taste of pioneer life. Oma's Schmierkucken Goetta/Gritzwurst Mama's Eintopf Sauerkraut and Ham
- [Samuel Wilbert Tucker & Alexandria Library Sit-in Resources](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources-2/alexandria-library-sit-in-resources/) - Interviews, lesson plans, study questions and teaching materials to use with Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in Lesson Plans & Graphic Organizers Tucker Lesson Plans & Graphic Organizers Text Features Reading for Information TextFeaturesDavisMiddleSchool created by Davis Middle School, Hampton VA Language Arts teacher Rachelle Chambers Alexandria
- [Teacher Resources](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources/) - Find teacher resources for Samuel Wilbert Tucker and A Place Called Home by clicking on items in the drop-down menu.
- [Teacher Resources](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources-2/) - Find teacher resources for Samuel Wilbert Tucker and A Place Called Home by clicking on the drop-down menu.
- [Photos and Comments](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/photos/)
- [Contact Nancy](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/contact-nancy/) - with questions or for author visits, lesson plans, discussion questions and book orders noysilbooks@gmail.com Book orders for A Place Called Home, email prairiehillsbooks@gmail.com
- [Carolina's Birthday Gift](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/carolines-diary/carolines-birthday-august-15-1856/) - When the morning sun had peeked through the window next to her bed, her eyes popped open. She was so ready to be ten years old. Papa had promised she would be old enough to decide some things for herself. She had jumped out of bed and quickly put on her favorite red plaid dress
- [Cincinnati, Ohio 1856](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/carolines-diary/) - Caroline has been living in Cincinnati since she was a year old when her family moved there from Germany in 1849. Now in 1856, Papa and Mama share the "exciting news" that they will be moving to New Ulm, Minnesota the next spring. Free thinking Turnverien members in Cincinnati joined with a group of German
- [Sticks and Stones](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/the-diary-of-caroline-beck-german-immigrant-minnesota-1856-1863/why-dont-they-like-us/) - Stones whizzed past her head. Carolina stumbled on the rough gravel. Fritz grabbed her hand and held on tightly. Pulling her along, he yelled, “Run faster!” A year older and much bigger, Fritz was sometimes irritating, but Carolina was thankful her brother was with her now. Usually, he couldn’t get out
- [Cincinnati 1856](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/cincinnati-1856/) - Carolina has been living in Cincinnati since she moved there with her family in 1849. Now in 1856, Papa and Mama share the "exciting news" that they will be moving to New Ulm, Minnesota the next spring. Free thinking Turnverien members in Cincinnati joined with a group of German immigrants from Chicago to create a
- [BOOKS](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/)
- [Recommended Reading by Virginia Librarians for Middle Grade Social Studies](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/teacher-resources-2/recommended-reading-by-virginia-librarians-for-middle-grade-social-studies/) - Bibliography of fiction and nonfiction published between 2008-2018 to extend curriculum topics of WWII, Civil Rights, Immigration and Refugees. Criteria for Inclusion 7th grade SOL history curriculum topics (WWII-today) 2008-2018 copyright dates• Award winners & Starred Reviews Powerful Primary Sources Unique point of view, especially from young people Little-known stories of events and people Recommended and
- [Recommended Resources from Primary Sources](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/the-power-of-one/) - The Power of One Ordinary people who did extraordinary things proving that one person, or a few, can make a difference... Kanefield, Teri. The Girl from the Tar Paper School: Barbara Rose Johns and the Advent of the Civil Rights Movement. Abrams, 2004. Student-led protest in Farmville, VA. The case that came out of the protest was
- [Samuel W. Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/samuel-w-tucker-the-story-of-a-civil-rights-trailblazer-and-the-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/) - The earliest-known sit-in for civil rights occurred at the Alexandria (Virginia) Public Library on August 21, 1939. Samuel Wilbert Tucker, a young African American lawyer, grew up in Alexandria in a family that believed reading and education led to opportunities. When Tucker was refused a library card at his local public library, he organized a sit-in
- [Davis Middle School, Hampton VA](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/davis-middle-school-hampton-va/) - On the first day of National Library Week Davis Middle School Librarian, Nancy Terrell, invited me to spend a day with their 7th graders. After they read Samuel Wilbert Tucker's biography and learned about other people who overcame adversity, we talked about lessons learned from Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library protesters who simply wanted to borrow books from
- [Reviews and Interviews: Tucker biography](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/books/samuel-wilbert-tucker-the-story-of-a-civil-rights-trailblazer-and-the-1939-alexandria-library-st-in/) - Recommended by The Library Media Connection LMCTuckerReview In the biography's forward, Senator Henry L. Marsh wrote, "A concise and accurate description of Tucker's life with emphasis on his legal contributions to the Civil Rights Movement." Nanci Diggs, a middle school librarian in Yorktown, VA emailed after attending my "Collaboration Strengthens Instruction in History and Language Arts" session
- [Arlington Public Library Author Talk Feb 26, 2020](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/arlington-public-library-author-talk-feb-26-2020/) - Publicity and details for author talk about Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In and her journey researching and writing the book. February 26, 2020, Arlington Central Library. https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/6273580
- [Presentations](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/presentations/) - COMING SOON
- [Tips for Successful Author Visits](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/tips-for-successful-author-visits/) - COMING SOON

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- [A Place Called Home](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/category/a-place-called-home/)
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- [Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/category/samuel-wilbert-tucker-the-story-of-a-civil-rights-trailblazer-and-the-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/)

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- [sit-ins](https://nancynoyessilcox.com/tag/sit-ins/)
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