Your Friend the Rat

Rats? Friends?  Historically you decide.
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Resource: Short Film
Running Time: 11 minutes
Rating: not rated

Time: 1300s (and other times too)
Place: Europe, India, America

Summary:
Emile and Remy, those friendly rats from Ratatouille tell the history of the black and the Norwegian rats, covering the globe, as rats do.  The most time is spent on the black plague as rats are blamed for spreading this pandemic.  They also talk about the spread of rats on ships to America and the interaction between the two species.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is a lot of cartoon violence directed against rats.  There are also some icky pictures of fleas.

Format Links:
This short film is on the Ratatouille
 DVD
Blu Ray 
Amazon Instant Video (digital download)
You can also get just the short from Disney on Demand on YouTube

Renaissance Man by the History Teachers

A brief overview of Renaissance Men set to the tune "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes



Resource: YouTube Video
Running Time: 3 minutes

Time: roughly 1300 - 1600
Place: Italy, England

Summary:
Singing to the tune "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes the History Teachers explain what the Renaissance was and highlight some of the bright stars of that time including DaVinci, Dante, Michelangelo, Thomas Moore, Shakespeare and others.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
Nudity: There is some nude artwork and sculpture.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli

This is a delightful, short read of a boy who learns to find his own strength and patience.
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Resource: Historical Fiction Book/Audiobook
Time: 1300s
Place: England

Main Character: Boy
Age: 11

Summary:
Robin, son of an nobleman, Sir John de Bureford, is left abandoned by parents and servants in plague ridden London. Struck down by a disease, not the plague, he is left unable to use his legs. Rescued by a monk, Brother Luke, he is taken to the church where he recuperates from his illness and learns new skills.  Robin then is taken on to the Castle at Linsey where he was to be a page.  He proves his strength and heroism in a daring act that saves many.  This story has a happy ending.

Potentially Objectionable Content: None

Reading Level: grade 3 - 5
Lexile Measure: 990L

Awards: Newbery Medal (1950), Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Format Links
Audiobook: Narrated by Roger Rees - I highly recommend this recording.  It is well acted with some sound effects such as church bells. Mr. Rees has a resonant voice with a British accent.
Kindle
Book