Books:

A Day with Anka (this is listed in 3rd grade Social Studies binder, check your school library)

The Lost Violin: They Came From Bohemia (check local library or NCSML)
This story is set in Chicago 1892-1893 and shows a Bohemian community and how some habits clashed with Americans and the importance of learning English. Anna studied violin in Prague and her violin was stolen on their first day in Chicago. She ends up playing for Dvorak when he is in Chicago.

Dear America: A Coal Miner’s Bride, The Diary of Anetka Kaminska, Lattimer Pennyslvania, 1896
This is actually a story about Polish immigrants but it is a great story of immigration from Central Europe during a period of unrest. They came to work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. While not about Czech or Slovak immigrants, students were able to make many connections when visiting NCSML. There is also a website made available from Scholastic that includes a guide for book and links to websites about mining and an
interview with the author.
www.scholastic.com/dearamerica/parentteacher/guides/dearamerica/coalminer.htm

Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Lavine
This is a true story of two brave children caught in the Holocaust. They’re life was turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis. It is a powerful account suitable for older children. A Japanese teacher sets out to uncover the story of Hana’s suitcase and in doing so uncovers her story and the story of her surviving brother.

Czech and Slovak Touches: Recipes, History, Travel, Folk Arts by Pat Martin
This book is an excellent resource about Czech and Slovak history, culture and points of interest. This is available in the Czech & Slovak traveling kit.


Internet resources:
(check accuracy of websites before using with students)

www.ncsml.org (National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids)
(be sure to check out “Collections & Research.” It has links for a brief history of Czechs in Cedar Rapids and Czech points of interests in Cedar Rapids which has excellent links & virtual tours for many places students may see as driving by or may be visiting)

For student and teacher research:

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3237.htm
(profile of Czech Republic, updated 08/05)

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3430.htm
(profile of Slovakia, updated 08/05)

user.intop.net/~jhollis/geography.htm
(information on geography of Eastern Europe)

user.intop.net/~jhollis/slovakia.htm
(information about Slovakia; famous landmarks)

www.slovakia.org/

user.intop.net/~jhollis/czechrepublic.htm
(information about Czech Republic; famous landmarks)

user.intop.net/~jhollis/breakupofczechoslovakia.htm
(information on formation of two countries)

www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/czech_republic/index.html
(variety of topics on Czech Republic)

www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/slovakia/index.html
(variety of topics on Slovakia)

encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556878/Czech_Republic.html
(on-line encyclopedia article)

encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761554274/Slovakia.html
(on-line encyclopedia article)

www.picturesofplaces.com/Europe/czech.html
(lots of excellent photos)

www.picturesofplaces.com/Europe/slovakia.html
(lots of excellent photos)

www.worldeggs.com
(photos of traditional Kraslice….egg decorating for both Republics)

www.kraslica.szm.sk
(additional photos of egg designs….note: no English on the page!)