Text Set

Standards for World History 1500- present for 10th grade

STANDARD WHII.14- The student will demonstrate knowledge of political,
economic, social, and cultural aspects of independence movements and
development efforts by

a) describing the struggles for self-rule, including Gandhis leadership in India

and the development of Indias democracy.
b) describing Africas achievement of independence, including Jomo
Kenyattas leadership of Kenya and Nelson Mandelas role in South Africa
Conversations with Myself
Nelson Mandela became an iconic figure for
democracy after he abolished the apartheid in
South Africa. In this book, the reader takes a look
into his life as a civil activist. The book is filled with
diaries, letters, and historical documents all
pertaining to his fight for equality. However the
book also looks into Mandelas human side,
accounting for his childhood and shortcomings.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 65.3
Suitability- 8th grade and up
Gandhi: The Man, His People,
and the Empire
An in-depth and detailed account of the life of
civil rights activist Gandhi. It follows the battle for
Indias independence from England through
Gandhi's non-violent protest. It also examines his
adaptive practices ofcivil disobedience that he
used to frustrate the English Empire until they
withdrew from India.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 50.9

Suitability- 10th grade and up

India After Gandhi: The History
of the World's Largest
Democracy
Observing how the actions taken by Gandhi
shaped modern day India into the free country it is
today. Gives fantastic insight on the intricate
government that arose after the pull of British
influence and Indias first steps onto the global
scene. A well cited bibliography at the end also
gives students the chance to venture out of this
and find more sources.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 38.7

Suitability- 10th grade and above

Kenya: A History Since
Independence
A story of Kenya breaking free from quiet and
peaceful rule under the British to seek independence.
Following the election of 2007, post election protests
and violence break out as the book displays Kenyan
leaders such as Jomo Kenyatta or Mwai Kibaki taking
the helm to steer towards a free nation. The book
highlights the leaders of Kenya continue to remain in
flux as they attempt to establish adequate living
conditions and security.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 43.5
Suitability- 11th grade and beyond
The Long Walk of Nelson
Mandela
This documentary provides a view at live footage of
the events that unfolded in South Africa during the
apartheid. With stunning footage and a great
interview with the face of the South African
revolution, it broadens the understanding of the
struggle against apartheid.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 69.5
Suitable- Grades 6 and up
March Books One and Two
The March series does not cover anything mentioned
in the classes standards of learning, however it ties in
well with the idea of protest and civil disobedience
undertaken by Mandela and Gandhi. It is also good
material to have for children to read in order to prove
what determination and community can accomplish.
While it may seem simple to read because its a
young adult graphic novel, it tackles much more
adult themes and portray graphic events of real civil
rights history.

Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 79.9

Suitability- Grades 6 and up

Mohandas Gandhi (Spiritual
leaders and Thinkers)
A brief yet detailed look at the event lead by
Mohandas Gandhi, leader of the Indian struggle
for independence. This entry goes more in-depth
into not just his protests in the form of fasting,
boycotts and protests, but focuses on him as a
spiritual leader and a model for Hinduism.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 55.2
Suitability- For 8th graders to 11th graders
Nelson Mandela: the
Unconquerable Soul
A different approach for those who need to read
about Nelson Mandela, this covers his life in less
detail but illustrates it beautifully. The general
themes of his life and message are all there with
snip bits of his speeches. Students who might be
easily distracted can better focus on the artistic
designs while still learning about the subject
matter.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 65.1
Suitability- 8th grade and beyond
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

A fun, children's book that follows an adopted

mongoose in a British family stationed in India. His
job is to eat any snakes who want to harm the
family and protect the British. While loosely related
to the SOL, its still a fun book to have, a nice story,
and sets up the background of British rule in India.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 69

Suitability- 6th grade and above

World History
Providing an detailed yet broad overview of world
history, this Textbook provides ample information on
every event needed to be covered by the standards.
Accurate information from textbook is portrayed and
ordered chronologically, placing the two topics far
away in time, despite their numerous similarities.
However, these chapters are a good start to get an
ample amount of background knowledge on the two
protests.
Readability- Flesch Reading Ease score: 61.5
Suitability- 9th grade and up
 Bibliography
Guha, R., & Rogers D. Spotswood Collection. (2007). India after Gandhi:
The history of the world's largest democracy. New York: Ecco.
Gandhi, R. (2015). Gandhi: the man, his people and the empire. London:
Haus Publishing Ltd.
Herlfand, L., & Banerjee, S. (2011). Nelson Mandela: The unconquerable
soul.
Hornsby, C. (2013). Kenya: a history since independence. London: I.B.
Tauris.
Kipling, R. (2014). Rikki tikki tavi. Starling and Black Publications.
 Bibliography (cont.)

Lewis, J., Aydin, A., & Powell, N. (2016). March. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf
Productions.

The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela [Video file]. (1999, May). Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/

Mandela, N. (2011). Conversations with myself. Sydney: Macmillan

Todd, A. M., & Marty, M. E. (2004). Mohandas Gandhi. Philadelphia: Chelsea

House

World History 2018. (2017). Houghton Mifflin School