Book excerpt: This book is written for an upper elementary and middle school reading and interest level. It involves the use of sonnets and ballads in very basic ways with the hope of instilling an excitement of poetry. As a teacher of U. S. History Jim Peirce wanted all his students to get a hands-on experience by actually touching objects which at one time influenced people of the past. He required each to visit sites, take pictures and report back to class. From these writings and his own travels he collected a lot of trivia, but also great stories from all over Maryland. Each chapter of this book is written with the hope of expanding knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay. Jim finds them fascinating, and he hopes you do too.